Easy Cheesy Potatoes

Ever had a side dish so good it practically steals the show? Easy cheesy potatoes can have that effect. When I serve these for dinner it doesn’t matter what the main course is – everyone’s happy about these potatoes!

Easy Cheesy Potatoes check all the boxes. Crowd pleaser? Check. Comfort food? Check. Family favorite? Double-check. It’s the kind of dish that disappears the fastest at potlucks (and on your family dinner table). 

Shredded potatoes in creamy, buttery cheese sauce, baked and topped with crunchy panko bread crumbs. It smells soooo good while it’s cooking and tastes absolutely heavenly!

This dish is also known as funeral potatoes, as it’s commonly brought to after-funeral dinners and family gatherings. It’s also common to bring a casserole to someone following the loss of a loved one. This gesture of kindness allows a person to grieve without having to worry about cooking. 

As popular and tasty as this recipe is, it’s also remarkably simple to prepare. Just 10 minutes of prep time, and then the oven does the work. This also makes it an ideal make-ahead recipe. You can quickly and easily prepare several batches in almost no time. Your freezer will be stocked and you’ll still have the whole day ahead of you.

INGREDIENTS – WHAT YOU NEED

They are made with butter, flour, celery salt, onion salt, chicken stock, milk, cheddar cheese, potatoes, garlic powder, and sour cream. The topping is made of corn flakes and panko bread crumbs. 

HOW TO MAKE EASY CHEESY POTATOES

In a large pot, melt a stick of butter, add celery salt, onion salt, and flour and stir continuously until smooth, bubbly, and golden brown – that’s a roux.

While stirring, add chicken stock to your roux, mix well and add milk. Bring almost to a boil.

Remove from heat, add 2 cups cheddar, and mix well.

In the same pot, thoroughly combine potatoes, the rest of the cheese, garlic powder, and sour cream to the roux. Spread evenly in a 9×13 pan.

In a small bowl combine crushed corn flakes and panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the potatoes.

Bake, uncovered, at 350˚ for 45 minutes or until crispy and golden brown on top.

Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

MAKE AHEAD AND FREEZE

To make this a classic make-ahead freezer meal you only need to make 3 small adjustments: container, temperature, and cooking time. Instead of using your regular casserole dish, use a disposable (or recyclable) aluminum pan covered with foil. Otherwise, your casserole dish will be held hostage in your freezer for months. When cooking from frozen, bake your frozen casserole uncovered at 400 degrees (F) for 1 hour or until crispy and golden brown on top. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

HOW TO MAKE EASY CHEESY POTATOES IN THE OVEN

Bake uncovered at 350˚ for 45 minutes or until crispy and golden brown on top. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. If cooking from frozen, uncover and bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour.

WHY ARE THEY CALLED FUNERAL POTATOES?

Traditionally, a side dish or casserole is given to someone experiencing the recent loss of a loved one. It’s a gesture of kindness to save someone the trouble of cooking during a time of grief. Casseroles like this are also brought to after-funeral dinners and gatherings and represent comfort and family during times of mourning and remembrance.

CAN YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE INTO THE MAIN COURSE?

Absolutely! Transform this yummy side dish into a hearty meal by adding cooked ground beef, smoked sausage, or rotisserie chicken. Be sure any meats are fully cooked, and add them to your potatoes just before cooking.

PRO TIPS/RECIPE NOTES

Let your creativity soar by customizing your topping. Crumbled bacon bits or chopped jalapenos can be sprinkled on before cooking. French fried onions, a few sprinkles of truffle oil, or even crushed kettle potato chips add to the amazing flavor of this casserole. Or add chopped green onions just before serving. Have some fun with this one!

Prepare this dish with crumbled breakfast sausage and serve alongside scrambled eggs for a delicious breakfast or brunch combo.

Have fun with the cheese you choose. The cheddar can be mild, medium, sharp, or extra sharp. Or try Colby, Monterrey Jack, or even Pepper Jack – any of these types of cheeses will work beautifully.

After your casserole with frozen hashbrowns cools off from the oven, slice individual portions and store in small Tupperware containers for lunches or snacks. 

Resist the temptation to shred your own fresh potatoes for this recipe. Frozen shredded potatoes make this recipe a breeze to make. Plus, raw shredded potatoes will turn brown in the freezer.

WHAT OTHER CASSEROLES CAN YOU MAKE?

• Make this delicious Turkey and Stuffing Casserole.
• Make this Maple Glazed French Toast Casserole
• Create this Make-Ahead Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
• Prepare this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
• Make this Philly Cheesesteak Cauliflower Tater Tot Casserole.

The next time you make this recipe, I would love to see it! Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #happymoneysaver and tagging me @happymoneysaver!

This Potato Casserole recipe was first posted on Oct 26, 2015, but has been updated with new photos and better-detailed instructions on April 26th, 2022.