French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe
French Onion Funeral Potatoes is a comforting casserole dish combining creamy hash browns with a rich, cheesy sour cream sauce, topped with crispy homemade fried onions. This classic layered potato casserole is perfect for gatherings and family dinners, delivering a delightful mix of creamy textures and savory fried onion crunch.
- Author: Ava
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Potato Mixture
- 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, layers separated (about 4 cups onions)
- 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prepare for the casserole.
- Prepare Potato Mixture: In a large bowl, combine thawed hash browns, melted butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until well combined, then set aside.
- Make Sauce: 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. Then add minced garlic and cook for another minute to release the flavors.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle in the flour, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried mustard. Stir and cook the mixture for about one minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids: Slowly whisk in the room temperature whole milk and chicken broth until the sauce is smooth. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Sauce and Potatoes: Pour the thickened sauce into the potato mixture bowl. Stir everything together until the potatoes are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Bake Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.
- Prepare Fried Onions: While the casserole bakes, line a large baking sheet with two layers of paper towels to drain the fried onions.
- Heat Oil: In a large saucepan, heat 4 cups of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) over high heat using a thermometer for accuracy.
- Fry Onions: Working in batches, carefully add about 1 cup of the thinly sliced onions to the hot oil. Fry, stirring occasionally, until onions turn pale golden brown, approximately 2 to 5 minutes per batch. Use a fine mesh strainer or slotted spoon to remove onions and place them in a single layer on the paper-lined baking sheet. Ensure oil temperature returns to 350°F before frying each batch.
- Season Fried Onions: Sprinkle the fried onions evenly with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and toss gently to coat.
- Top Casserole: Once the casserole has finished baking, remove it from the oven and evenly sprinkle the homemade fried onions over the top.
- Serve: Serve the casserole warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure hash browns are fully thawed to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for perfectly crispy fried onions that are not greasy.
- You can prepare the sauce and potato mixture ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.
- If preferred, substitute sharp cheddar with your favorite cheese variety.
- Use a thermometer for oil frying to prevent burning or undercooking onions.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Keywords: funeral potatoes, French onion casserole, cheesy potato casserole, hash brown casserole, comfort food, fried onions topping