French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe

Introduction

French Onion Funeral Potatoes is a comforting casserole that combines crispy fried onions with a creamy, cheesy potato base. This dish is perfect for gatherings or a cozy family dinner, offering rich flavors inspired by classic French onion soup.

Ingredients

• 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed
• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ cups (345 g) sour cream
• 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
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced, layers separated (about 4 cups)
• 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the thawed potatoes, melted butter, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Mix until well combined and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt ¼ cup unsalted butter. Add the diced small yellow onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Step 4: Stir in the flour, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried mustard. Cook for another minute to form a roux.
5. Step 5: Slowly whisk in the whole milk and chicken broth, cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens.
6. Step 6: Pour the sauce into the potato mixture and stir well to combine. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
7. Step 7: Bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.
8. Step 8: While the casserole bakes, prepare the fried onions. Line a large baking sheet with two layers of paper towels and set aside.
9. Step 9: Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over high heat until it reaches 350°F.
10. Step 10: Working in batches, fry about 1 cup of the thinly sliced onions at a time. Stir occasionally until they turn pale golden brown, about 2-5 minutes.
11. Step 11: Using a slotted spoon or fine mesh strainer, remove the fried onions and place them in an even layer on the paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining onions, maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F.
12. Step 12: Sprinkle the fried onions with kosher salt and toss gently to coat.
13. Step 13: Remove the casserole from the oven and evenly sprinkle the fried onions over the top.
14. Step 14: Serve the casserole warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
• Use freshly grated sharp cheddar for better melting and flavor.
• To save time, prepare fried onions in advance and store them in an airtight container.
• Adjust the cayenne pepper to taste if you prefer less heat.

Storage

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to retain the casserole’s creamy texture and crispy onions.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add the fried onions just before serving to keep them crispy.

What can I substitute for hash browns?

If hash browns are unavailable, you can use diced or shredded fresh potatoes. Just be sure to blanch them briefly to soften before mixing into the casserole.

French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 108 reviews

• Author: Elara
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

French Onion Funeral Potatoes is a comforting casserole dish featuring tender hash browns, a creamy cheesy sauce infused with caramelized onions and garlic, topped with crispy homemade fried onions. This hearty, baked casserole combines the rich flavors of sharp cheddar, sour cream, and a savory onion sauce, making it an ideal side dish or main for family gatherings and potlucks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes and Cheese

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

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

Fried Onions

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

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Potato Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the thawed cubed hash browns with melted butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Mix well until evenly combined and set aside.
3. Make Sauce – Melt Butter: In a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter thoroughly.
4. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
5. Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried mustard. Cook for about one minute to remove the raw flour taste.
6. Add Liquids and Thicken Sauce: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and chicken broth while continuing to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens and is smooth.
7. Combine Sauce and Potato Mixture: Pour the thickened sauce into the bowl with the potato mixture. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
8. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the combined potato and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
9. Bake Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
10. Prepare Fried Onions – Line Sheet: While the casserole bakes, line a large baking sheet with two layers of paper towels to drain the fried onions.
11. Heat Oil: In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
12. Fry Onions: Working in batches, carefully add about 1 cup of the thinly sliced onion layers to the hot oil. Fry, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn a pale golden brown, about 2 to 5 minutes. Use a fine mesh strainer or slotted spoon to remove the fried onions and place them in a single layer on the prepared paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining onions, maintaining oil temperature at 350°F between batches.
13. Season Fried Onions: Sprinkle the drained fried onions with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and toss gently to coat evenly.
14. Top Casserole: After the casserole has finished baking, remove it from the oven and evenly sprinkle the fried onions over the top.
15. Serve: Serve the casserole warm as a delicious and comforting dish.

Notes

• Make sure the hash browns are fully thawed before mixing to ensure even cooking.
• When frying onions, be sure the oil temperature stays consistent at 350°F to achieve crispy texture.
• You can substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make the casserole vegetarian-friendly.
• For extra flavor, use smoked cheddar cheese or add a pinch of smoked paprika to the sauce.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: funeral potatoes, french onion casserole, hash brown casserole, cheesy potato bake, fried onions, creamy casserole, comfort food