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Gotta tell you about my special twist on an old favorite! These French Onion Funeral Potatoes have become what I always bring to family get-togethers. I whipped them up for a Sunday meal during cold weather last year, and something crazy happened—my mom called the very next day wanting to know how I made them! That never ever happens! Those crunchy fried onions on the top transform this dish completely, and when you dig into that cheesy potato mixture underneath? It's just pure comfort with every single forkful.
What Makes This Dish Special
Forget about regular potato casseroles! I've taken those classic funeral potatoes everybody remembers from childhood and given them a totally fresh French onion upgrade. The sauce turns out incredibly smooth and rich, and when you get all the flavors together with that crunchy onion topping, it's honestly mind-blowing. Even my picky nephew, who usually just pushes food around his plate, wanted more helpings last December!
Your Shopping List
- Hash Browns: Always go for frozen cubed ones since they don't turn mushy in the dish.
- Cheese: Pick sharp cheddar because it gives you way more flavor!
- Sour Cream: Don't skimp with low-fat—full fat makes everything taste better.
- Sauce Ingredients: You'll create something amazing with butter, onions, garlic, flour, broth, and milk.
- For Those Crunchy Onions: Yellow onions work best when you cut them super thin.
- Seasonings: Get your salt, pepper, a tiny bit of cayenne for kick, and some dry mustard—every bit counts!
Cooking Steps
- Starting With Potatoes
- Mix your hash browns with melted butter, cheese, and sour cream in the biggest bowl you can find—trust me, you don't want to clean up overflow!
- Creating Flavor
- This part changes everything. Cook those onions till they're tender and sweet, throw in some garlic (because everything's better with it), then make your sauce. Once it's thick and bubbling, dump it all over your potato mix.
- Baking Time
- Put everything in your baking dish—I always use my trusty 9x13 that's seen tons of family dinners. Stick it in the oven and let it work its magic.
- Crispy Toppings
- While that's cooking, get those amazing onions ready! Watch them carefully because they'll burn in a flash. I usually make more than needed because I can't stop snacking on them.
- Finishing Touch
- Top your hot casserole with those crispy onions and watch how fast everyone runs to the table!
Make It Earlier
When things get crazy busy, here's what I do: make this a day early! I often fix everything the evening before a big family meal. Just wait to add those crunchy onions until you're ready to serve. You can even stick it in the freezer for up to three months, which works perfectly when unexpected guests show up or when you just need some comfort food right away.
Change It Up
Sometimes I get a little fancy and mix in Gruyère with the cheddar and wow, it's incredible! My sister throws in some bacon bits (because honestly, bacon improves anything), and my buddy Lisa adds chopped red peppers for a pop of color. If you're running short on time, those pre-made crunchy onions from the store work fine too—I won't tell anyone!
Helpful Hints
After cooking this so many times, I've figured out some tricks! Make sure you really drain those hash browns or you'll end up with soup instead of casserole. Warm up your milk and broth a bit—it makes the sauce way smoother. And please keep an eye on your oil when frying onions. I've triggered the smoke alarm more than once while learning that lesson!
The Secret To Its Goodness
There's something so perfect about how the smooth, cheesy potatoes work with those crunchy onions on top. It's like getting two comfort foods in one amazing dish. Whenever I take this to any gathering, people hang around it constantly and I always bring home an empty dish!
Foods To Serve With It
This casserole needs friends on the plate! It sits perfectly next to your holiday bird or weekend pot roast. I always include something green alongside it to balance all that amazing richness. Last Thanksgiving, my brother-in-law said it was even better than the turkey—seriously!
Common Questions
People always ask me: Can you use shredded hash browns? Yeah, but cubed ones stay firmer. Can you use store-bought fried onions? Absolutely on busy days! How long do leftovers last? They stay good about 4 days in the fridge—if they don't vanish before then!
Why I Love Making This
You know what makes me happiest about this dish? How it pulls everyone together. Whether we're having a big holiday meal or just dinner on Sunday, folks always crowd around when this comes out hot from the oven. Something about that golden top and those crunchy onions just puts smiles on faces. And isn't that why we cook in the first place?
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Common Questions
- → Can I use packaged fried onions instead?
- Sure, grab French's or similar store-bought crunchy onions to cut down on prep time. But making your own gives you better flavor and extra crunch.
- → Is it okay to prep this early?
- You can mix the potatoes and sauce beforehand, but add the crunchy onions right when you're ready to serve so they stay crisp. The dish keeps in the fridge up to 24 hours before cooking.
- → What's behind the unusual name?
- This potato dish got its nickname because folks often bring it to after-funeral gatherings, especially in Midwestern states and Mormon communities. It's easy to make in big batches for groups.
- → Will regular potatoes work instead of frozen hash browns?
- It's doable but not ideal. Frozen hash browns save time and cook more evenly. If you use fresh ones, you'll need to grate them, partly cook them first, then drain and dry them thoroughly.
- → How do I save what's left?
- Pop leftovers in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 3 days. Just know the onions won't stay as crunchy. Warming it back up in the oven works best.