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French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe


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

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.


Ingredients

Scale

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

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