If you’re looking for a dish that’s both comforting and crowd-pleasing, French Onion Funeral Potatoes are the ideal choice. This recipe combines creamy, cheesy potatoes with the rich flavor of French onion soup and crispy fried onions. It’s the perfect comfort food, great for gatherings, potlucks, or even family dinners. Let’s dive into why you’ll love making this delightful dish!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy: A straightforward recipe that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.
Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples, making it accessible for anyone.
Perfect for Gatherings: A great side dish that complements any main course.
Crowd-Pleaser: Rich, cheesy flavors ensure everyone will ask for seconds.
Unbelievably Delicious: The combination of flavors is simply irresistible, making it stand out!

This dish brings warmth and satisfaction, perfect for impressing guests and feeding a crowd.

Ingredients Needed

For the Potato Base:

32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns (thawed)
¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter (melted)
2 cups (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
1½ cups (345 g) sour cream

For the Sauce:

¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion (diced)
2 teaspoons garlic (minced)
¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon dried mustard
½ cup (120 g) chicken broth (room temperature)
½ cup (122.5 g) whole milk (room temperature)

For the Fried Onions:

2 large yellow onions (thinly sliced, layers separated, about 4 cups)
4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt

How to Make French Onion Funeral Potatoes

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even cooking once your dish goes in.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. This makes for easier cleanup.
Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, melt ¼ cup of butter over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle in the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried mustard. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and whole milk. Cook until the sauce thickens and is bubbly, which should take about 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Combine Potatoes and Sauce: In a large bowl, mix together the thawed hash browns, melted butter, sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Pour the sauce over the hash brown mixture and stir until fully combined.
Layer the Onions: Pour the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Fry the Onions: In a deep pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, seasoning with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Top and Bake: Spread the fried onions evenly over the potato mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Cool and Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle.

How to Serve French Onion Funeral Potatoes

Serve hot, either as a side dish with roasted meats or as a warm appetizer. Garnish with fresh herbs for added color and flavor.

How to Store French Onion Funeral Potatoes

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm throughout for the best taste.

Tips to Make French Onion Funeral Potatoes

Make It Ahead: Prepare the dish a day in advance and refrigerate it without baking. Bake it fresh the next day!
Extra Crispy Onions: For crunchier fried onions, soak the slices in cold water for 30 minutes before frying.

Variation

You can substitute the sharp cheddar with other cheeses like gouda or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.

FAQs

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?

Yes, you can use fresh potatoes. Peel and shred them, then pre-cook until slightly soft.

How do I make this recipe gluten-free?

Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure the chicken broth is gluten-free.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Yes, it freezes well! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

French Onion Funeral Potatoes are a deliciously comforting dish that will surely please everyone at your table. With its creamy texture and savory flavor, it’s a recipe you’ll want to keep close at hand. If you tried it, please leave a comment and a star rating! Share your experiences on social media and let us know what variations you made. What unique twists have you added to this classic dish? Let us know below!

French Onion Funeral Potatoes

Oumnia

This ultra-comforting casserole combines crispy fried onions, creamy hash browns, and rich French onion flavor into one irresistible dish — perfect for potlucks, gatherings, or hearty family dinners.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 5

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 10 servings

Calories 370 kcal

Equipment

9×13-inch baking dish
saucepan
mixing bowl
deep frying pan
whisk
paper towels

Ingredients

32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed
0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1.5 cups sour cream
0.25 cup unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
0.25 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
0.5 teaspoon dried mustard
0.5 cup chicken broth, room temperature
0.5 cup whole milk, room temperature
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
4 cups vegetable oil
0.5 teaspoon kosher salt, for onions

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking.
Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray for easy cleanup.
In a saucepan, melt ¼ cup butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 1 more minute.
Add flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and mustard. Stir constantly for 2 minutes to form roux. Slowly whisk in broth and milk. Cook until thickened and bubbling, about 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a large bowl, mix thawed hash browns, melted butter, cheddar, and sour cream. Pour in the sauce and stir to fully combine.
Transfer the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish.
In a deep pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions, season with salt, and fry until golden and crispy (10–15 min). Drain on paper towels.
Top the casserole with the fried onions. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Allow to cool a few minutes before serving so flavors can settle.

Notes

Make it a day ahead for stress-free hosting. Want more crunch? Soak sliced onions in cold water for 30 minutes before frying. Swap cheddar with gouda or mozzarella for a twist.