Cozy Funeral Potatoes Casserole (Print Version)

Creamy casserole with cheddar, sour cream, and a crunchy hashbrown topping; great for easy comfort dishes.

# Components:

→ Potatoes & Dairy

01 - 1 (32 oz) bag frozen diced hash brown potatoes, thawed
02 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 2 cups sour cream
04 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

→ Sauces & Seasoning

05 - 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup, or cream of mushroom for vegetarian
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Topping

11 - 3 cups frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
13 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a large bowl, combine diced hash brown potatoes, cheddar cheese, sour cream, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
03 - Pour the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even, compact layer.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine thawed shredded hash browns with 2 tablespoons melted butter and paprika. Toss until evenly coated.
05 - Evenly distribute the seasoned hash brown mixture across the casserole surface.
06 - Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes of prep, meaning you can actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck at the stove.
  • The crispy hashbrown topping against the creamy base hits that textural contrast that makes people keep eating even when they are full.
  • It tastes like it took hours but requires just one bowl for mixing and straightforward ingredient combinations.
02 -
  • Always thaw your frozen potatoes before mixing, as frozen pieces will release water during baking and turn your cream sauce watery instead of lush.
  • Do not skip the resting time at the end, it feels like wasting minutes but those 10 minutes allow everything to firm up enough to scoop cleanly without the casserole collapsing.
03 -
  • Mix everything except the topping hash browns the night before and refrigerate, then just add the topping and bake the next day for true convenience.
  • Use real cheese you grate yourself if possible, it melts into a smoother, richer sauce that tastes noticeably better than the alternative.
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