How to Make Funeral Potatoes

Archaeologists have discovered evidence that suggests human beings have incorporated food into their burial rituals for at least 12,000 years. While these pre-Neolithic peoples commemorated the deaths of their loved ones by eating turtles and aurochs (an extinct species of wild cattle), we can only imagine how they might react to a dish that has become synonymous with modern death rituals in the United States: funeral potatoes! This article offers a recipe for funeral potatoes, suggestions to help you enhance this tasty dish and make it your own, and a little history about this classic cheesy comfort food.

A Dish by Any Other Name

Shakespeare’s Juliet waxed to Romeo that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. The same holds true for “funeral potatoes,” a dish known by many names. (In fact, you might already relish this dish without realizing its association with funerals.) Sometimes called cheesy potatoes, cheesy potato casserole or Mormon funeral potatoes, among other names, this classic hearty fare tastes (and smells) wonderful no matter what you call it.

While widely associated with the Mormon faith — possibly because the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints often prepares it for families in grief — the fact is that this dish is a staple at not only post-funeral meals but also potlucks, church dinners, office gatherings and dinnertime in countless households nationwide regardless of the occasion or religious faiths involved.

Moreover, while this tasty casserole goes by many names, there are even more variations on the recipe. Most, however, involve basic kitchen staples: butter, milk, creamed soup, sour cream, cheese and, of course, potatoes.

Up for debate is whether funeral potatoes should or should not include a crunchy topping. The “classic” funeral potatoes recipe below incorporates the traditional crushed-cornflake topping, but people commonly substitute other foods to provide a crunchy counterpoint to the creamy, cheesy, rib-sticking goodness beneath.

Regardless of whether you’re pro-topping or not, or what recipe you use, funeral potatoes likely became a ubiquitous funeral-meal item in the United States for several reasons. First, as noted above, the recipe relies upon basic staples found in most kitchens so preparing this dish isn’t difficult or particularly expensive. Next, the total time necessary to make funeral potatoes, from gathering the ingredients to serving, takes less than one hour. Finally, and perhaps most important, the resulting dish definitely qualifies as “comfort food” — a soothing, consoling foodstuff we often associate with memories of childhood — and therefore exactly what mourners need while struggling with the void created by the death of a loved one.

Other than your physical presence in their time of need, there is perhaps no better gift to give to the newly bereaved than a comforting dish that suggests, “I care and I’m here for you.”

Funeral Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) of butter; plus 2-3 tablespoons of butter
• 2 10.75-ounce cans of cream-of-chicken, -celery or -mushroom soup
• 1 pint (16 ounces) of sour cream
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of milk
• 2 cups (16 ounces) of grated cheddar cheese (coarse or fine)
• 1 bag (28-32 ounces) of frozen hash-brown potatoes
• 2 cups (16 ounces) of cornflakes (yields ~1 cup crushed)

Hardware:

• Large bowl
• Measuring cup
• Gallon-size zip-top bag
• 9×12 baking pan (glass or metal)
• Wooden spoon, spatula, hot pads, apron, etc.

Serves:

6-8 people as a main dish; 10-12 people as a side dish

Directions:

Melt 1 stick of butter and, in a large bowl (you’re going to mix all of the ingredients in this bowl, so plan accordingly), combine the melted butter with 2 cans of creamed soup (do not add water), and 1 pint of sour cream. Stir until creamy, smooth and well blended.

Add 1/2 cup of milk and stir until blended. Add 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese and stir until mixed. Add the bag of frozen hash-brown potatoes (or shred your own if you want to build your upper body) and stir until well mixed. Transfer into an ungreased 9×12 baking pan and spread until evenly distributed.

In a zip-top bag, add 2 cups of cornflakes and seal bag. Crush with the heel of your hand on a hard surface until pieces are roughly uniform in size (1/4-inch or less; you don’t need to make cornflake dust here). Pour cornflake crumbs into measuring cup and add additional 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir gently until mixture is coated. Using your fingers, sprinkle cornflake mixture uniformly across top of potato mixture.

Place potatoes uncovered on center rack in preheated 350° oven and set your timer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, check potatoes and either remove from oven, if done, or bake for additional 5-minute increments until done. You’re looking for a “dry” cornflake topping (not wet/glistening from the butter) and a golden-brown, bubbly cheese/potato mixture, which can easily require 35-50 minutes of baking time, depending upon your oven and geographic altitude.

Funeral Potatoes Variations

As noted above, there are countless versions of this recipe because many cooks experiment. Here are some ways you can enhance your version of funeral potatoes.

Substitute toppings: Instead of crushed cornflakes, substitute (one cup, in all cases) panko crumbs, seasoned breadcrumbs, crushed potato chips, crushed saltine or Ritz crackers, or even a pre-sweetened breakfast cereal, such as crushed Cap’n Crunch. (You’ll probably need a rolling pin for the latter since they’re hard little devils.)

Lower-fat versions: As prepared, this is definitely not a low-cal meal item, but there are many ways you can lower the caloric intake if you want. Instead of sour cream, use the same amount of low-fat or Greek yogurt. Skim milk will work instead of whole milk, provided you bake your funeral potatoes a bit longer. Margarine is an adequate alternative to butter, and you can look for a low-fat version of creamed soup at your market.

Ingredient Additions: You can add many different ingredients to the above recipe, if you desire, but some of the more common additions include (one cup in all cases): chopped red or green onions; cubed ham or shredded chicken; or frozen peas or green beans.

Also, for a crispier topping, you can bake your funeral potatoes longer in your oven or place them under a broiler for 2-3 minutes.

Sources:
“Early evidence (ca. 12,000 B.P.) for feasting at a burial cave in Israel,” by Natalie D. Munro & Leore Grosman, August 31, 2010. PNAS. Retrieved October 1, 2017. http://www.pnas.org/content/107/35/15362.full