The original Best Cheesy “Funeral” Potatoes recipe. Made with southern hash browns, whipped cream cheese with chives to create a creamy cheese sauce, and loaded with lots of extra cheese on top for a truly easy and delicious potato casserole.

Updated: April 4, 2025

I know, I know…not ANOTHER “funeral” potato recipe! Hear me out for a minute… I’ve been making my “funeral” potatoes for 33 years! These are not the “new kid” on the block cheese potatoes.

This IS the original “cheesy funeral” potato casserole or cheese potatoes.  However, we didn’t call them “funeral” potatoes back then. It was just a new amazingly easy, cheesy potato casserole that you took to every church potluck and made for every family get-together.

The first time I made these I wasn’t even married. A friend gave me the recipe and swore by it. I remember thinking… “Cream of Chicken Soup” in cheesy potatoes?

Being young and having little kitchen experience, I trusted her and went with it. Generations are grateful I did! They are a staple at every holiday dinner! Nobody even has to die for us to enjoy them! (Bonus!)

Ingredients Needed

• 2 lb. bag of southern style hash browns, thawed (small cubes)
• ½ cup butter (1 stick)
• 1 (10.5 ounces) can of Cream of Chicken Soup, you can substitute with a can of cream of mushroom soup.
• 1 (7.5 ounce) container Whipped Cream Cheese with Chives, or you can substitute with a 7.5 ounce container softened cream cheese with chives.
• ¼ cup milk, + 2 tablespoons if needed to reach desired consistency.
• 1 cup cubed, or shredded, mild cheese blend.
• 1 cup grated, mild cheddar cheese – for on top of the casserole.
• Fresh chopped chives for garnish

How to Make Easy Cheesy Potato Sauce

In a large skillet, or stock pot, melt 1 stick of REAL butter over medium heat.  Add one can of Cream of Chicken Soup (Yes… you can substitute cream of mushroom) and one 7.5 oz container of Whipped Philadelphia Chive Cream Cheese.

Tip: If you cannot find Whipped Cream Cheese with Chives, you can use one small container of regular cream cheese with chives. Both work equally well. It just takes a little longer for the regular cream cheese to melt.

Using a wire whisk, blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

Add in 1 cup of cubed, or grated, mild cheddar cheese and jack cheese blend. Add 1/4 cup of milk to thin the mixture out. I often have to add a couple extra tablespoons to reach the desired consistency. Note the mixture should still be thick, but able to coat all the potatoes.

Continue mixing until cheese is completely melted and everything is well blended.  It will be very smooth.

Adding Potatoes

Add frozen southern hash brown potatoes to the large pot with the cheesy sauce you’ve just made. Now you know why I used a large stock pot instead of that large skillet. I didn’t want to have to dirty another bowl!

Stir to combine, making sure all the potatoes are evenly coated.

Pour mixture into a 2-quart baking dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, or a 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with remaining 1 cup of grated cheese and chopped chives, if desired.

Baking Instructions

Now you can bake these two different ways. You can pour the mixture into the desired size and style of baking dish and bake it in the oven.

OR…if you need room in your oven for other dishes, you can bake them in a sprayed casserole slow cooker. See notes for slow cooker instructions.

It works fantastic, and I love my slow-cooker casserole dish.

If baking in the oven, bake at 350° F, for one hour. If baking in your crock pot casserole dish, cook for 2 hours on high or for 3.5 hours on low.

The potatoes should be “fork” tender.

Finishing Touches and Serving Ideas

You know what happens at this Nest with these delicious mouth-watering potatoes? They magically disappear in minutes! Which is why I double the recipe for every holiday that they are served!

These are the BEST cheesy funeral potatoes I’ve ever had…and I’ve had LOTS! (Not necessarily at funerals…but they are a potluck favorite!)

Don’t wait to go to a funeral to have them! (Gads!) I really dislike that they have been nick-named “funeral” potatoes. I deal with it by telling myself it’s because they are “TO DIE FOR”!

This is the perfect side dish for Ham, Pork Roast, (Coffins?) or any main course dish you are making. Just remember…all the other recipes out there are “wannabes”!

Other Favorite Side Dish Recipes

• Green and Gold Squash Casserole
• Strawberry Pineapple Fluff Jello Salad
• Amaretto Glazed Carrots with Almonds
• Broccoli Puff Casserole
• Oven Fried Squash
• Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
• Creamy Cheesy Au Gratin Red Potatoes
• Pineapple Stuffing from Allrecipes.com

This is the REAL deal! Lol 😉 Nobody wants 2nd hand cheesy potatoes at their funeral! That would just be…well… “Cheesy”! (Come on…ya knew I was going there!)

Remember you can always follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I’d love to have ya join me!

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