Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Funeral Potatoes recipe is a cheesy and creamy recipe, which is made with frozen shredded hash brown potatoes and sour cream. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Funeral Potatoes Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter
- One 28- to 32-ounce bag frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar
- 2 cups kettle-cooked potato chips
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
How To Make Pioneer Woman Funeral Potatoes
- Prep the oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Use 1 tablespoon of the butter to grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Set the bag of frozen potatoes out on the counter to thaw slightly.
- Make the cream sauce: In a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, melt 6 tablespoons of the butter. Add the diced onions and cook until they begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Thicken the sauce: Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth, then whisk in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 3 minutes, until it has thickened.
- Add cheese and potatoes: Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Turn off the heat and stir in the Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, and sharp Cheddar until melted and combined. Add the hash brown potatoes to the skillet and mix everything together thoroughly.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the potato mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- Make the topping and bake: In a small pan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. In a bowl, crush the potato chips and mix them with the Parmesan cheese. Pour the melted butter over the chip mixture and toss to coat. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the potatoes.
- Bake until bubbly: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for about 15 more minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Let the casserole rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to prevent a watery casserole? It’s helpful to let the frozen hash browns thaw for 15-20 minutes on the counter before mixing them in. If they seem to have a lot of ice crystals, you can pat them with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen? Yes, but it requires extra work. You would need to par-boil about 2 pounds of Russet potatoes, let them cool, and then shred them on a box grater before adding them to the sauce.
- What’s the best way to crush potato chips? For a uniform, crunchy topping, place the chips in a zip-top bag, seal it, and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a can.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it (without the topping), and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, prepare the topping, sprinkle it on, and add about 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time.
What To Serve With Funeral Potatoes
This is a classic potluck and holiday side dish. It pairs perfectly with glazed ham, roasted turkey or chicken, and pork tenderloin. Serve it alongside a simple vegetable like steamed green beans or roasted asparagus.
How To Store Funeral Potatoes
- Refrigerate: Cover the cooled casserole dish with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: You can freeze the baked and cooled casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly.
Funeral Potatoes Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/8th of casserole
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Sugar: 5g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why are they called funeral potatoes?
The name comes from the American tradition of serving this comforting and easy-to-make casserole at potluck-style gatherings, such as the luncheons held after funerals, particularly in the Intermountain West region of the U.S.
Can I use corn flakes instead of potato chips for the topping?
Yes, a corn flake topping is a very popular and classic variation. Simply substitute the crushed potato chips with an equal amount of crushed corn flakes and toss with the melted butter and Parmesan.
Can I add meat to this casserole?
Certainly. This dish is very adaptable. Many people enjoy adding about a cup of diced cooked ham or crumbled bacon to the potato mixture for extra flavor and protein.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Potato Gratin Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Pioneer Woman Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Description
The ultimate comfort food casserole, featuring shredded hash browns in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, all topped with a crunchy, buttery potato chip crust.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch dish.
- In a skillet, melt 6 tbsp butter and sauté onions. Stir in flour, then whisk in milk and broth.
- Simmer until the sauce thickens, then turn off the heat.
- Stir in Monterey Jack, sour cream, and Cheddar until melted.
- Fold in the hash brown potatoes and transfer the mixture to the prepared dish.
- Toss crushed potato chips and Parmesan with 1 tbsp of melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake covered for 20 mins, then uncovered for 15 mins until golden and bubbly. Let rest before serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003eUsing kettle-cooked potato chips provides a sturdier, crunchier topping that holds up well during baking.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor a smoother sauce, ensure you whisk out all the flour lumps before the liquid comes to a simmer.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eLet the casserole rest for at least 15 minutes after baking. This allows the sauce to set up and makes serving much easier.u003c/liu003e
