If you think mash potatoes are good, then you are going to die over these easy and delicious Funeral Potatoes (also called cheesy potatoes.) Mash potatoes are great and a staple for large celebratory dinners, but only because they don’t take as long as Funeral Potatoes. Funeral Potatoes are the perfect hot side dish for any meal, holiday dinner, or potluck. I even eat them as a standalone meal, but I love potatoes in general lol. You can watch me make this dish here.
What are Funeral Potatoes?
Essentially, they are twice baked mash potatoes loaded with cheese, onion, butter, sour cream, and any “cream of” can you prefer. Labeling this dish plainly as a “casserole” is a crime.
Why are they called funeral potatoes?
The unique name for funeral potatoes comes from this side dish being brought for after-funeral luncheons. This dish is rumored to be popular among The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and now that I think about it – I did learn how to make this while I lived in Utah, lol.
I love to make this dish around the holidays because everyone loves it and it’s easy to make even if the entire process takes about 2 days. Once you have these, you won’t want to have plain ol’ mash potatoes anymore.
How do I make funeral potatoes?
First, you will need 6-8 potatoes. Six if they’re large and eight if they’re small to medium sized. Wrap the potatoes in tin foil and bake in the oven at 350F for 2-3 hours. You want the potatoes to be soft, but not too soft so there is still a “bite” when you shred them and they don’t just crumble.
THIS IS THE IMPORTANT STEP—DO NOT SKIP THIS: take the potatoes out of the oven and allow to rest on the counter overnight. Allowing the potatoes to rest overnight gives them the perfect taste and texture and what differentiates them from normal twice baked potatoes and mash potatoes.
The next day, shred the potatoes and place in a bowl. Cook up a diced onion in butter until translucent and pour the butter/onion combo into the potato shreds. Mix and add in the sour cream, cream of celery, and cheese. Place in a baking dish. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes, covered.
What ingredients are in funeral potatoes?
Potatoes, onion, butter, sour cream, cream of celery (or whatever you want), and cheese. You could make these vegan by using vegan substitutes, but you would definitely be missing out on the rich goodness that the butter and cheddar cheese provide.
Trust me, take the time and make these potatoes! They are an easy side dish and so tasty!
Can I freeze funeral potatoes?
Yes! In my make ahead food prep vlog, I froze most of my batch of funeral potatoes. I covered the baking dish with foil and plopped in the freezer!
Funeral Potatoes
Ingredients
- 6-8 potatoes
- 1 white onion
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 16 oz canned cream of celery, mushroom or chicken
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F, wrap the potatoes individually in tin foil, and bake for 2-3 hours until soft and easily squished when gently pressed on.
- Allow the potatoes to sit on the counter over night – DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP
- Using a cheese shredder, shred the potatoes and place in a bowl.
- Chop the onion and melt the butter over medium heat on the stovetop. Cook the onion in the butter until translucent. Add to the potato bowl.
- Mix in the sour cream, can of cream of celery, and as much cheese as you would like.
- Place in a baking dish and bake at 350F for 20-30 minutes until bubbly and the edges are slightly browned.
- Enjoy!
