This funeral potatoes recipe without corn flakes is the kind of casserole that is easy to put together and hard to resist once it comes out of the oven. Frozen hash browns are mixed with a creamy cheese sauce, baked until bubbling, and finished with buttery panko and Parmesan instead of the usual corn flake topping.
I like using shredded frozen hash browns here because they save a lot of prep. There is no peeling, grating, or squeezing fresh potatoes, and the pieces cook evenly in the casserole.
The result is soft potatoes underneath with a browned, crunchy top. It works especially well for family dinners, holiday meals, potlucks, and any time you need a side dish that can feed a crowd.
Why Make Funeral Potatoes Without Corn Flakes?
Corn flakes are a traditional topping for many versions, but they are not essential.
Panko breadcrumbs give a lighter crunch and are easy to keep in the pantry. Parmesan adds a little savory flavor, while butter helps the crumbs turn golden in the oven.
The potato mixture stays familiar: thawed hash browns, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cheddar, onion, and simple seasonings.
So, if you came here looking for cheesy potatoes with frozen hash browns but do not have corn flakes, you can still make the casserole without changing the main filling.
Ingredients
For the potatoes
- 30 ounces frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
A useful prep tip
Thaw the hash browns completely and press out excess moisture with paper towels.
This is one of the small steps that makes a noticeable difference. If the potatoes go into the bowl covered with ice crystals and water, the finished casserole can take longer to set.
How to Make This Funeral Potatoes Recipe
1. Heat the oven
Set the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Soften the onion
Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes. You want it soft and translucent, not deeply browned.
Take the pan off the heat.
3. Make the cheese mixture
In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, remaining melted butter, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar and the cooked onion.
The mixture should look thick and creamy.
4. Add the hash browns
Fold the thawed hash browns into the bowl.
Use a spatula or large spoon and mix gently until the potatoes are coated. Avoid stirring too aggressively because the hash browns can break down and become pasty.
5. Fill the baking dish
Spread the potato mixture evenly into the prepared dish.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar over the top.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
6. Add the crunchy topping
While the casserole is baking, mix the panko, Parmesan, and melted butter in a small bowl.
After the first 35 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the topping evenly over the potatoes.
Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes.
The edges should be bubbling and the topping should look golden.
Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe at a Glance
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
| Cook time | 50–55 minutes |
| Resting time | 10 minutes |
| Total time | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Servings | 10–12 |
| Dish | 9×13-inch casserole |
Tips for Better Cheesy Potatoes With Frozen Hash Browns
Let the potatoes thaw first
Frozen potatoes release moisture as they heat. Starting with fully thawed potatoes gives you more control over the casserole’s texture.
Shred your own cheese when possible
Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but freshly shredded cheddar usually melts more smoothly because it does not have as much anti-caking coating.
Keep the topping separate until later
Panko does not need an hour in the oven. Adding it for the final 15 to 20 minutes gives it time to brown without becoming too dark.
Give the casserole time to settle
Right out of the oven, the center is very hot and loose. After ten minutes, it becomes easier to scoop and hold together.
Easy Ways to Change the Recipe
Funeral Potatoes Without Sour Cream
You can make a funeral potatoes recipe without sour cream by using softened cream cheese thinned with a little milk.
For this recipe, 8 ounces of softened cream cheese mixed with about 1/3 cup milk is a practical starting point.
The filling will be richer and slightly thicker.
Funeral Potatoes With Cream Cheese
For an especially rich version, replace part of the sour cream with cream cheese.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing so you do not end up with small lumps throughout the filling.
Using Diced Hash Browns
Diced frozen hash browns can be used instead of shredded ones.
The casserole will have more noticeable potato pieces and a slightly chunkier texture. Shredded potatoes give the softer, more scoopable texture most people expect from this dish.
Can You Make Them Ahead?
Yes.
Prepare the potato mixture, spread it into the baking dish, cover it, and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake.
For the best topping, keep the panko mixture in a separate container and add it just before the uncovered baking stage.
Because the casserole starts cold, it may need extra oven time. Check the center before serving rather than relying on the original timing.
What to Serve With Funeral Potatoes
These potatoes are rich enough that they pair nicely with straightforward mains and vegetables.
Try serving them with:
- Roast chicken
- Turkey
- Baked ham
- Pork chops
- Green beans
- Roasted broccoli
- Simple garden salad
For a holiday table, the potatoes work especially well beside a leaner main dish and something green.
What Can You Substitute for Corn Flakes?
For this funeral potatoes recipe without corn flakes, panko is my first choice because it gives a crisp topping without making the casserole taste sweet.
Other options include:
- Crushed buttery crackers
- Crushed potato chips
- Plain breadcrumbs
- A mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan
Each gives a slightly different finish. Crackers make the topping more buttery, while potato chips bring more salt and crunch.
What Is the Best Funeral Potato Recipe?
There is not one fixed formula for funeral potatoes.
Some recipes use shredded potatoes, while others use diced. Some rely on condensed soup, and others make a sauce from scratch. Toppings also vary from corn flakes to crackers, cheese, or breadcrumbs.
For an everyday version, I would look for a recipe that gives you a creamy center without making the process unnecessarily long.
This one uses frozen hash browns for convenience and keeps the topping simple.
Mormon Funeral Potatoes: What Are They?
The name “funeral potatoes” is associated with the tradition of serving this type of cheesy potato casserole at funeral gatherings, particularly in Utah and within Latter-day Saint community food traditions.
The dish is not limited to funerals, though. It is also commonly prepared for potlucks, holiday dinners, family gatherings, and other large meals.
The exact ingredients vary by family, which is why you will find many slightly different versions under the same name.
Related Recipe Variations
You may also come across these versions while looking for a funeral potatoes recipe:
Funeral Potatoes Recipe With Corn Flakes
This version uses crushed corn flakes mixed with butter as the crunchy topping.
Funeral Potatoes Recipe Pioneer Woman
This search phrase refers to versions associated with Ree Drummond’s recipe content and may differ from this homemade variation in ingredients and method.
Funeral Potatoes Recipe Easy
An easy version usually relies on frozen hash browns and condensed soup to keep preparation short.
Amish Funeral Potatoes Recipe
These can vary considerably because “Amish” recipes are not one standardized formula. Ingredients and preparation differ from family to family.
Cheesy Potato Recipe With Corn Flakes
This is essentially another search variation for a baked potato casserole with cheese and a crispy cereal topping.
Troubleshooting
Why are my funeral potatoes watery?
The hash browns may not have been thawed and drained well, or the casserole may simply need more time in the oven.
Why is the center still loose?
Let it bake a little longer, then rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. The filling firms as it cools slightly.
Why did the topping brown too quickly?
Cover the casserole loosely with foil once the topping reaches the color you want, then continue heating the center.
Can I freeze funeral potatoes?
You can freeze the assembled casserole, although the texture of the dairy-based filling may change slightly after thawing. For the best result, freeze it without the crunchy topping and add that fresh before the final bake.
Funeral Potatoes Recipe Without Corn Flakes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Thaw and drain the hash browns. Press out excess moisture with paper towels so the casserole does not become watery.
- Cook the onion. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 4–5 minutes, until softened.
- Make the creamy mixture. In a large bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Add the cheese and onion. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar and the softened onion.
- Fold in the hash browns. Add the thawed potatoes and gently mix until they are evenly coated. Avoid overmixing.
- Fill the baking dish. Spread the potato mixture evenly into the prepared dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar over the top.
- Bake covered. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Prepare the crunchy topping. While the casserole bakes, combine the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and 2 tablespoons melted butter in a small bowl.
- Add the topping. Remove the foil after 35 minutes and spread the panko-Parmesan mixture evenly over the casserole.
- Finish baking uncovered. Return the dish to the oven for 15–20 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
- Let it rest. Remove the casserole from the oven and rest it for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Make-Ahead
Prepare the potato mixture and place it in the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. For the best texture, keep the panko-Parmesan topping separately and add it just before the uncovered baking stage. Because the casserole will start cold, allow extra baking time and check that the center is fully hot before serving.Storage
Refrigerate: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator. Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave, or reheat the casserole in the oven when you want to bring back more of the crunchy topping. Freezing: The assembled casserole can be frozen, although the creamy texture may change slightly after thawing. For better results, freeze without the crunchy topping and add it fresh before baking.Substitutions
For the corn flake topping: Use panko breadcrumbs, crushed buttery crackers, crushed potato chips, or plain breadcrumbs. For sour cream: Use softened cream cheese mixed with a little milk for a richer filling. For shredded hash browns: Diced frozen hash browns can also be used, although they produce a chunkier potato texture.Serving Suggestions
Serve these potatoes alongside:- Roast chicken
- Turkey
- Baked ham
- Pork chops
- Green beans
- Roasted broccoli
- Simple garden salad
Quick Recipe Tip
For the best result, watch the casserole rather than relying only on the clock. You are looking for a hot, bubbling center, browned edges, and a golden topping.Frequently Asked Questions
What can you substitute for corn flakes on funeral potatoes?
Panko breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or crushed potato chips all work well.
What can I substitute for corn flakes?
Use panko for a light, crisp topping or buttery crackers for a richer finish.
What is the best funeral potato recipe?
A good version has tender potatoes, a well-seasoned creamy filling, plenty of melted cheese, and a crisp top.
What are Mormon funeral potatoes?
They are a cheesy potato casserole associated with Utah and Latter-day Saint community food traditions.
Can I make funeral potatoes without sour cream?
Yes. Softened cream cheese mixed with milk is an easy substitute.
Can I use frozen hash browns without thawing?
You can, but thawing and draining them first gives a more predictable texture and cooking time.
Final Thoughts
This funeral potatoes recipe without corn flakes keeps the part people love about the casserole while changing the topping to something simple and pantry-friendly.
The frozen hash browns save time, sharp cheddar gives the filling plenty of flavor, and the panko-Parmesan topping adds the crunch you would normally get from cereal.
Serve it hot beside chicken, ham, turkey, or a simple vegetable, and let it rest for a few minutes before scooping.
That little pause makes the difference between a casserole that falls apart in the dish and one that serves neatly from the spoon.
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