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French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe

4 from 43 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
  8. Bake Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.
  9. Prepare Fried Onions: While the casserole bakes, line a large baking sheet with two layers of paper towels to drain the fried onions.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Season Fried Onions: Sprinkle the fried onions evenly with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and toss gently to coat.
  13. Top Casserole: Once the casserole has finished baking, remove it from the oven and evenly sprinkle the homemade fried onions over the top.
  14. 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