French Onion Funeral Potatoes

French Onion Funeral Potatoes take the classic, creamy comfort of a traditional potato casserole and elevate it with a savory, homemade fried onion topping. This dish is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for holidays, potlucks, or cozy family gatherings where you need a side dish that everyone will love.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You are going to love French Onion Funeral Potatoes because they offer a sophisticated twist on a nostalgic favorite. By replacing the standard cornflake topping with golden, crispy fried onions, you get a deeper flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the rich, cheesy sauce. Whether you are serving this for a holiday meal or a community event, the combination of tender diced hash browns and a homemade savory sauce makes it feel extra special.

Ingredients

• 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed and drained
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
• 1/2 cup chicken broth, room temperature
• 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced for frying
• 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 1/2 teaspoon extra kosher salt for the fried onions

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed cubed hash browns, 1/4 cup of melted butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Stir until the potatoes are well coated and set the mixture aside.
3. To prepare the sauce, melt the remaining 1/4 cup of butter in a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the diced small onion and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one additional minute.
4. Whisk in the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dry mustard. Cook the roux for about one minute to remove the raw flour taste.
5. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and whole milk while whisking constantly. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce has thickened into a rich gravy.
6. Pour the thickened sauce over the potato mixture and stir well to combine. Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish.
7. Bake the casserole for 45 to 50 minutes, or until it is bubbly and heated through.
8. While the potatoes bake, prepare the fried onions. Heat 4 cups of vegetable oil in a large saucepan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Working in batches, fry the sliced onion layers for 2 to 5 minutes until they are a pale golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and drain on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt immediately.
10. Once the casserole is finished baking, remove it from the oven and evenly distribute the homemade fried onions over the top before serving.

Expert Tips / Pro Tips

To ensure the best texture for your French Onion Funeral Potatoes, always make sure your frozen hash browns are fully thawed and patted dry. Excess moisture can make the casserole watery rather than creamy. When frying the onions, use a thermometer to maintain the oil at 350 degrees Fahrenheit; if the oil is too cool, the onions will absorb too much grease, and if it is too hot, they will burn before becoming crispy. For the best flavor, shred your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bags, as it melts much smoother into the sauce.

If you are short on time, you can substitute the homemade fried onions with a container of store-bought crispy fried onions. Simply sprinkle them on top during the last few minutes of baking. For a different texture, you can use shredded hash browns instead of cubed, though the dish will be slightly more compact. If you prefer a different flavor profile, try swapping the sharp cheddar for Gruyere or Swiss cheese to lean even further into the French Onion soup inspiration. For a vegetarian version, simply replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth.

Serving Suggestions

French Onion Funeral Potatoes are the perfect companion to a variety of main dishes. They pair beautifully with roasted turkey or glazed ham for holiday dinners. For a casual weeknight meal, serve them alongside grilled chicken or a juicy steak. Because they are so rich and creamy, they also go well with a crisp green salad or roasted green beans to balance out the meal.

To store leftovers, allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If you want to freeze the dish, it is best to do so before adding the fried onion topping. Wrap the unbaked potato mixture tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, the oven is the best method to keep the topping crispy; bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes. If using a microwave, note that the onions may lose their crunch.

Nutrition Information

French Onion Funeral Potatoes

French Onion Funeral Potatoes take the classic, creamy comfort of a traditional potato casserole and elevate it with a savory, homemade fried onion topping. This dish is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for holidays, potlucks, or cozy family gatherings where you need a side dish that everyone will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Side Dish

Calories: 529

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns thawed and drained
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter divided
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 2 teaspoons garlic minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
• 1/2 cup chicken broth room temperature
• 1/2 cup whole milk room temperature
• 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced for frying
• 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 1/2 teaspoon extra kosher salt for the fried onions

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed cubed hash browns, 1/4 cup of melted butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Stir until the potatoes are well coated and set the mixture aside.
3. To prepare the sauce, melt the remaining 1/4 cup of butter in a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the diced small onion and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one additional minute.
4. Whisk in the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dry mustard. Cook the roux for about one minute to remove the raw flour taste.
5. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and whole milk while whisking constantly. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce has thickened into a rich gravy.
6. Pour the thickened sauce over the potato mixture and stir well to combine. Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish.
7. Bake the casserole for 45 to 50 minutes, or until it is bubbly and heated through.
8. While the potatoes bake, prepare the fried onions. Heat 4 cups of vegetable oil in a large saucepan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Working in batches, fry the sliced onion layers for 2 to 5 minutes until they are a pale golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and drain on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt immediately.
10. Once the casserole is finished baking, remove it from the oven and evenly distribute the homemade fried onions over the top before serving.

Notes

To ensure the best texture for your French Onion Funeral Potatoes, always make sure your frozen hash browns are fully thawed and patted dry. Excess moisture can make the casserole watery rather than creamy.

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