If you have a soft spot for cozy casseroles, then the French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe is about to become your new favorite comfort food classic. This dish brings together tender, cheesy potatoes with a rich, savory French onion sauce, all topped off with crispy, golden fried onions for that perfect crunch. It’s the kind of recipe that warms hearts and fills bellies, making it a star dish to share at family dinners, potlucks, or anytime you want to treat yourself to something deeply satisfying. Once you try it, you’ll understand why so many people rave about this irresistible combination.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making this French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe is straightforward because it relies on simple, yet crucial ingredients that each play a key role. From the creamy tang of sour cream to the sharp punch of cheddar cheese, every component adds layers of flavor, richness, and texture that bring the dish to life.
- Frozen cubed hash browns (32 ounces): The hearty base that absorbs all those luscious flavors while providing a tender, satisfying bite.
- Unsalted butter (¼ cup + ¼ cup): Adds indulgent richness and helps build a silky sauce and golden fried onions.
- Sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups): Melts into gooey goodness, lending bold, tangy notes to the casserole.
- Sour cream (1 ½ cups): Brings creamy tang that balances the deep caramelized onion flavor.
- Small yellow onion (1, diced) and large yellow onions (2, thinly sliced): These onions are the heart and soul of the dish, cooked down into a savory sauce and fried to addictive crispiness.
- Garlic (2 teaspoons, minced): Adds aromatic depth and a subtle kick.
- All-purpose flour (¼ cup): Essential for thickening the luscious French onion sauce.
- Kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dried mustard: These seasonings enhance complexity and balance the creaminess perfectly.
- Chicken broth and whole milk (½ cup each): Together, these liquids create a velvety sauce that ties every element together beautifully.
- Vegetable oil (4 cups) and kosher salt (½ teaspoon) for frying: The key to perfectly crispy fried onions to crown your casserole.
How to Make French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dish
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). This ensures a consistent baking environment for those potatoes to cook evenly. While that heats up, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a generous spritz with nonstick spray to make sure your cheesy creation won’t stick when it’s time to serve.
Step 2: Mix the Potato Base
In a large bowl, bring together the thawed hash browns, melted butter, sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Mix these gently but thoroughly so that every cube of potato is coated in cheesy, creamy goodness. This mixture forms the hearty core of your casserole and sets the tone for all that rich flavor to come.
Step 3: Cook the French Onion Sauce
On medium heat, melt the butter in a skillet and add the diced onions. Cook until the onions become soft and translucent, coaxing out their natural sweetness. Toss in the minced garlic, cooking just a minute more to release its aroma without burning. Stir in the flour and all the seasonings, then slowly whisk in your chicken broth and milk to create a silky onion sauce. Keep stirring until it thickens nicely, which will marry all those flavors into a luxuriously creamy blend.
Step 4: Combine and Bake
Pour the warm French onion sauce over your potato mixture and fold everything together evenly. Transfer this luscious mixture into your prepared baking dish and slide it into the oven. Let it bake for 45 to 50 minutes, allowing it to bubble and set while the flavors deepen and the top starts to turn a beautiful golden shade.
Step 5: Fry the Onions
While the casserole is baking, get your crispy onions ready. Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan to 350°F (177°C), then fry the thinly sliced large yellow onions in batches. Fry until they’re a perfect golden brown and impossibly crispy, then drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt to heighten their flavor and crunch. These fried onions will bring that iconic topping that makes this French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe unforgettable.
Step 6: Assemble and Serve
Once the potatoes are bubbly and cooked through, take them out of the oven and generously top with your beautifully golden fried onions. Serve immediately to enjoy the satisfying contrast of creamy, cheesy potatoes and crisp, savory onions.
How to Serve French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives or parsley can add a fresh pop of color and flavor that brightens the richness. Feel free to add a little extra shredded cheese just before serving if you’re in the mood for more indulgence!
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with light, fresh sides—think a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed green beans. These balance the richness, making the whole meal feel well-rounded and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
You can dish this up straight from the baking pan, or for a fancier touch, serve it in individual ramekins topped with those irresistible fried onions. For festive occasions, sprinkle extra crispy onions around the edges to wow your guests visually and texturally.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, this French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe keeps well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Simply cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Freezing
This casserole freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then freeze in a suitable container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to keep that creamy texture intact.
Reheating
Reheat leftover casserole in a 350°F (177°C) oven until warmed through, usually about 20-25 minutes. For a quick fix, you can microwave portions but the oven method keeps that crispy top most delicious.
FAQs
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
You can, but frozen hash browns save a lot of prep time and have a great texture for this recipe. If using fresh potatoes, grate or cube them finely and blanch to soften before assembling.
Is there a vegetarian option for this recipe?
Definitely! Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth, and you have a delicious meat-free version that still packs plenty of savory flavor.
How spicy is the dish with cayenne pepper included?
Only a subtle hint of warmth comes from the cayenne pepper—it adds depth without overwhelming the comforting, cheesy flavors.
Can this recipe be made dairy-free?
Yes, with substitutions like dairy-free sour cream, cheese alternatives, and plant-based butter or oils, you can enjoy a similar comforting experience tailored to your dietary needs.
What’s the best way to ensure crispy fried onions?
Make sure your oil is hot enough—around 350°F (177°C)—and fry the onions in small batches without overcrowding. Drain well on paper towels and salt immediately to keep them crisp!
Final Thoughts
This French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe is everything you want in a comforting, crowd-pleasing casserole: rich, cheesy, tangy, and topped with the perfect crispy crunch. It’s the kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again, whether for a cozy night in or to impress a gathering. Dive in and enjoy the magic happening when simple ingredients come together just right!
Print
French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This French Onion Funeral Potatoes recipe is a creamy, cheesy casserole featuring tender hash browns smothered in a rich onion sauce and topped with crispy homemade fried onions. It’s a comforting dish perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or family dinners, combining classic French onion flavors with a hearty potato base.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ cups (345 g) sour cream
Sauce
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried mustard
- ½ cup (120 g) chicken broth, room temperature
- ½ cup (122.5 g) whole milk, room temperature
Fried Onions
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced, layers separated (about 4 cups onions)
- 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix potato ingredients: In a large bowl, combine thawed hash browns, melted butter, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients and set aside.
- Make onion sauce: Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until they soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Whisk in flour, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried mustard to form a roux. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk until smooth. Continue cooking and stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Combine sauce and potatoes: Pour the prepared onion sauce over the potato mixture and mix well to ensure even distribution. Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Bake casserole: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
- Prepare fried onions: While the casserole bakes, line a baking sheet with paper towels. Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan to 350°F (177°C). Fry the thinly sliced onions in batches until golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
- Finish and serve: When the casserole is done, remove it from the oven and immediately top with the crispy fried onions. Serve hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Make sure to fully thaw the hash browns for even cooking in the casserole.
- Frying onions in batches prevents overcrowding and ensures they crisp up nicely.
- You can prepare the fried onions ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for a day, but add them just before serving to maintain crispiness.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Use low-fat sour cream and reduced-fat cheese for a lighter dish, though it may affect creaminess.
