Best Cheesy “Funeral” Potatoes
The original Best Cheesy “Funeral” Potatoes recipe. Made with southern hash browns, whipped cream cheese with chives to create a creamy cheese sauce, and loaded with lots of extra cheese on top for a truly easy and delicious potato casserole.
Updated: April 4, 2025
I know, I know…not ANOTHER “funeral” potato recipe! Hear me out for a minute… I’ve been making my “funeral” potatoes for 33 years! These are not the “new kid” on the block cheese potatoes.
This IS the original “cheesy funeral” potato casserole or cheese potatoes. However, we didn’t call them “funeral” potatoes back then. It was just a new amazingly easy, cheesy potato casserole that you took to every church potluck and made for every family get-together.
The first time I made these I wasn’t even married. A friend gave me the recipe and swore by it. I remember thinking… “Cream of Chicken Soup” in cheesy potatoes?
Being young and having little kitchen experience, I trusted her and went with it. Generations are grateful I did! They are a staple at every holiday dinner! Nobody even has to die for us to enjoy them! (Bonus!)
Ingredients Needed
- 2 lb. bag of southern style hash browns, thawed (small cubes)
- ½ cup butter (1 stick)
- 1 (10.5 ounces) can of Cream of Chicken Soup, you can substitute with a can of cream of mushroom soup.
- 1 (7.5 ounce) container Whipped Cream Cheese with Chives, or you can substitute with a 7.5 ounce container softened cream cheese with chives.
- ¼ cup milk, + 2 tablespoons if needed to reach desired consistency.
- 1 cup cubed, or shredded, mild cheese blend.
- 1 cup grated, mild cheddar cheese – for on top of the casserole.
- Fresh chopped chives for garnish
How to Make Easy Cheesy Potato Sauce
In a large skillet, or stock pot, melt 1 stick of REAL butter over medium heat. Add one can of Cream of Chicken Soup (Yes… you can substitute cream of mushroom) and one 7.5 oz container of Whipped Philadelphia Chive Cream Cheese.
Tip: If you cannot find Whipped Cream Cheese with Chives, you can use one small container of regular cream cheese with chives. Both work equally well. It just takes a little longer for the regular cream cheese to melt.
Using a wire whisk, blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
Add in 1 cup of cubed, or grated, mild cheddar cheese and jack cheese blend. Add 1/4 cup of milk to thin the mixture out. I often have to add a couple extra tablespoons to reach the desired consistency. Note the mixture should still be thick, but able to coat all the potatoes.
Continue mixing until cheese is completely melted and everything is well blended. It will be very smooth.
Adding Potatoes
Add frozen southern hash brown potatoes to the large pot with the cheesy sauce you’ve just made. Now you know why I used a large stock pot instead of that large skillet. I didn’t want to have to dirty another bowl!
Stir to combine, making sure all the potatoes are evenly coated.
Pour mixture into a 2-quart baking dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, or a 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with remaining 1 cup of grated cheese and chopped chives, if desired.
Baking Instructions
Now you can bake these two different ways. You can pour the mixture into the desired size and style of baking dish and bake it in the oven.
OR…if you need room in your oven for other dishes, you can bake them in a sprayed casserole slow cooker. See notes for slow cooker instructions.
It works fantastic, and I love my slow-cooker casserole dish.
If baking in the oven, bake at 350° F, for one hour. If baking in your crock pot casserole dish, cook for 2 hours on high or for 3.5 hours on low.
The potatoes should be “fork” tender.
Finishing Touches and Serving Ideas
You know what happens at this Nest with these delicious mouth-watering potatoes? They magically disappear in minutes! Which is why I double the recipe for every holiday that they are served!
These are the BEST cheesy funeral potatoes I’ve ever had…and I’ve had LOTS! (Not necessarily at funerals…but they are a potluck favorite!)
Don’t wait to go to a funeral to have them! (Gads!) I really dislike that they have been nick-named “funeral” potatoes. I deal with it by telling myself it’s because they are “TO DIE FOR”!
This is the perfect side dish for Ham, Pork Roast, (Coffins?) or any main course dish you are making. Just remember…all the other recipes out there are “wannabes”!
Other Favorite Side Dish Recipes
- Green and Gold Squash Casserole
- Strawberry Pineapple Fluff Jello Salad
- Amaretto Glazed Carrots with Almonds
- Broccoli Puff Casserole
- Oven Fried Squash
- Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
- Creamy Cheesy Au Gratin Red Potatoes
- Pineapple Stuffing from Allrecipes.com
This is the REAL deal! Lol 😉 Nobody wants 2nd hand cheesy potatoes at their funeral! That would just be…well… “Cheesy”! (Come on…ya knew I was going there!)
Remember you can always follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I’d love to have ya join me!
Printable Recipe Card
Best Cheesy Funeral Potato Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
- 1 10.5 ounce Can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 – 7.5 oz. whipped cream cheese with chives
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 1 cup Cubed, or shredded, mild cheddar cheese blend
- 1 cup grated mild cheddar cheese
- 2 lb. bag southern hash browns (small cubes)
- 2 Tablespoons Chives, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, or deep stock pot, melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat. Add 1 can cream of chicken soup and the whipped cream cheese with chives. Stir until well blended.
- Add in 1 cup cubed mild cheddar cheese, or shredded cheese, and 1/4 cup of milk. Continue stirring until cheese is melted and mixture is creamy.
- Place a bag of frozen hash browns into a large bowl. Add cheese sauce mixture. Stir together.
- Pour cheesy hash browns into a sprayed 2-quart baking dish, or 9 x 13 pan or casserole slow cooker.
- Top with 1 cup of grated mild cheddar cheese and chopped fresh chives (optional).
- If using the 2-quart baking dish, or 9 x 13 baking dish, bake in a preheated 350° F oven for 1 hour until fork tender.
- If making in a casserole crock pot, bake on low for 3.5 hours or on high for 2 hours.
Nutrition
About the Author
Meet The Author
Hi! I'm Norine, the cook, baker, and recipe creator behind Norine's Nest. I love sharing and creating recipes that invite family, friends, and neighbors to gather around the dinner table. Sharing good food and creating memories with those we love brings me happiness. Thanks for stopping by my Nest!
Awesome!! This was my sons favorite dish from Thanksgiving dinner. I couldn’t find whipped cream cheese and chive tho so I just used the regular cream cream and chive and it still came out great. Wondering what difference the whipped makes? Thanks for the recipe!!
Hi Jessica!
Your son has AWESOME taste! lol This is by far my favorite side dish! I often use regular cream cheese with chives. The whipped just melts down faster. Other wise same-same! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with me. I sincerely appreciate it more than you know. Positive comments help keep me going! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Happy Nesting~
Norine
Just made these for Thanksgiving and me and my 13 year old son looooved them!! This was his favorite dish of the night. Thank you for the recipe will def be making this again!!
looks good…. A must try…
Hi Sylvia!
These are really delicious! My family has loved them and requested them over 30 years. They appear every year during all the Holidays! Have a GREAT week!
Happy Nesting!
~Norine
Could you put ground meat in it? Would you have to change any thing.
Hi Jeanette!
I would think it would be fine as long as you drain your ground beef really well. Other than that I would keep the cook times the same. I’ve done it with Ham, but never ground beef. Sounds delicious!
Happy Nesting!
~Norine
Hello! Just found out I need to make a double batch of this! Would it be best to put it in one large casserole dish or 2 normal sized ones? And what would be the difference in the baking temp/time in the oven if it is in one dish? Thank you!!
@Sheryl Stratfold,
I see this never got answered and was wondering the same thing on one big pan were is spread out thinner versus a smaller casserole dish that’s deeper… What did you find out with yours? What did you do?
Thanks,
Shanna~
I tried these for my family reunion…..everyone loved them!!! I used creme of mushroom soup as I don’t eat meat…..wow these are great! The flavors are wonderful. Great texture too! Everyone laughed at the name, but they ate them up when they tasted them….this is what the “Cheesy Potato” casserole with sour cream could never achieve!!! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Rebecca!
I’m SO glad this turned out for you with the Cream of Mushroom soup! Now I’m dying…no pun intended…to try them with cream of mushroom soup too! This recipe has been pleasing families for decades! Especially the family at this NEST! I really appreciate you taking the time to leave this comment. I was really looking forward to hearing back on the changes! Hope you have a GREAT week. Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Nesting!
~Norine
can you use cream of celery you think. I am vegetarian.
Hi Heidi!
I’m sure you could. I think Cream of Mushroom might be better with this dish, but honestly either will work and they will still be amazing! Enjoy!
Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
~Norine
Thank you! One more silly question! I seen these with crushed corn flakes on top in other recipes. Have you tried this? Not opposed to more cheese on top instead by any means, just wondering if anyone here has done it with this particular recipe. Thanks in advance
Hi Sheryl!
I have a recipe here on the blog for Party Patotes. That recipe does include the crushed corn flakes on top. This recipe leans more towards a really simple rich creamy Cheesy Au Gratin Potato Casserole. I’ve never tried it with the crushed corn flakes. It wouldn’t be bad on there at all and you could certainly add it to this recipe. Hope this helps. If you do try it with the corn flakes let me know how it turns out!
Merry Christmas!
~Norine
What if you cannot find the whipped cream cheese with chives?? no where in my area..they only have the regular cream cheese with chive and onionm can i use that?
Hi Sheryl!
Yes! You sure can. I’ve done it many times when I can’t find it in my market either. It works great! Sorry. I should have included that with the instructions.
Thanks for stopping by my Nest. You’re gonna love these potatoes! Have a wonderful Holiday.
Happy Nesting!
~Norine