What are French Onion Funeral Potatoes?

French Onion Funeral Potatoes are a variation of the traditional creamy potato casserole, infused with classic French onion soup flavors. This dish combines shredded or diced potatoes, sour cream, cheese, caramelized onions, and French onion soup mix, often topped with crispy fried onions. It’s a comforting side dish typically served at family gatherings and potlucks.

How do I make French Onion Funeral Potatoes crispy on top?

To get a crispy topping, sprinkle store-bought crispy fried onions evenly over the casserole during the last 10–15 minutes of baking. If you prefer, you can also mix crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and spread this mixture on top before baking. This creates a golden, crunchy crust that contrasts nicely with the creamy potatoes.

Can I prepare French Onion Funeral Potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble French Onion Funeral Potatoes a day in advance. After preparing the casserole, cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake it from chilled, adding extra baking time (around 15–20 minutes) until it’s heated through and the topping is crispy. Preparing in advance saves time on busy days.

Are instant potatoes a good substitute in French Onion Funeral Potatoes?

Instant potatoes can be used if you’re short on time, but they may alter the dish’s texture. Traditional recipes usually call for shredded or diced fresh or frozen hash browns to achieve a creamy and slightly chunky texture. If using instant potatoes, add less liquid and mix gently to avoid a runny casserole.

How can I make French Onion Funeral Potatoes healthier?

To make a lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese, and swap some or all of the hash browns for cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower. You can also reduce the amount of butter in the topping. Using low-sodium French onion soup mix helps control salt content. These tweaks maintain flavor while cutting calories and fat.

French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe With Crispy Topping

Name: French Onion Funeral Potatoes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed; – ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted; – 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; – 1 ½ cups sour cream; – ¼ cup unsalted butter for the sauce; – 1 small yellow onion, diced; – 2 teaspoons garlic, minced; – ¼ cup all-purpose flour; – 1 teaspoon kosher salt; – ½ teaspoon black pepper; – ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper; – ½ teaspoon dried mustard; – ½ cup chicken broth at room temperature; – ½ cup whole milk at room temperature; – 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced and separated into layers (about 4 cups); – 4 cups vegetable oil; – ½ teaspoon kosher salt for fried onions

Ingredients

– 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed

– ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

– 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

– 1 ½ cups sour cream

– ¼ cup unsalted butter for the sauce

– 1 small yellow onion, diced

– 2 teaspoons garlic, minced

– ¼ cup all-purpose flour

– 1 teaspoon kosher salt

– ½ teaspoon black pepper

– ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

– ½ teaspoon dried mustard

– ½ cup chicken broth at room temperature

– ½ cup whole milk at room temperature

– 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced and separated into layers (about 4 cups)

– 4 cups vegetable oil

– ½ teaspoon kosher salt for fried onions

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Instructions

1-First Steps: Preparing the Base In a large bowl, mix the thawed 32 ounces of frozen cubed hash browns with ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter, 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and 1 ½ cups of sour cream until everything is well combined; set this aside for now. Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, melt another ¼ cup of unsalted butter and cook the diced small yellow onion until it softens, which takes about 3-5 minutes.

2-First Steps: Add 2 teaspoons of minced garlic and cook for one more minute to build flavor. Stir in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and ½ teaspoon of dried mustard; let this cook for another minute to form a roux.

3-Building and Baking the Casserole: Slowly whisk in ½ cup of chicken broth and ½ cup of whole milk, both at room temperature, and continue cooking until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Pour this sauce into the potato mixture, stir everything together thoroughly, and spread it evenly into your prepared baking dish.

4-Building and Baking the Casserole: Bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes until it’s bubbly and heated through, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. While it bakes, prepare the topping by heating 4 cups of vegetable oil to 350°F in a large saucepan and frying the thinly sliced 2 large yellow onions in batches until they turn pale golden brown, about 2-5 minutes; drain them on paper towels and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt.

5-Finishing Touches: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and evenly sprinkle the fried onions on top for that signature crunch. Let it cool slightly before serving hot, as this helps the flavors meld. For more ideas on paired dishes, you might enjoy our chicken stir-fry recipe to complement this casserole.

Notes

🧊 Use frozen cubed hash browns and drain excess moisture for best texture; home-cubed potatoes require boiling.
🧀 Sharp cheddar cheese is best for flavor; plain Greek yogurt can substitute sour cream for creaminess.
🍳 Fry fresh yellow onions for crispy topping, or use store-bought crispy onions for convenience.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking, Frying
Cuisine: American
Diet: Not specified

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 529 kcal