dinner recipes

Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole

Rate This Recipe

This cheesy potato casserole with diced potatoes makes the best side dish and is a staple at my holiday tables. I’m amping up the flavor of this classic cheesy potato recipe by adding extra seasonings, including plenty of cheddar cheese, and topping the casserole with crunchy fried onions. Serve these funeral potatoes with mains like roasted chicken, spatchcock turkey, apricot glazed ham, or steaks. It truly goes with anything. And try the crockpot cheesy potatoes for a hands-off version that won’t take up any oven space – same recipe but made in the slow cooker.

This diced potato casserole (sometimes called funeral potatoes!) is made easily with diced potato hash browns (a major kitchen shortcut), and then we’re adding major flavor in the form of cream of chicken soup, butter, sour cream, garlic powder, sharp cheddar cheese, and French fried onions. So yes, it’s still going to taste like the classic easy cheesy potatoes you’re used to, but a tad extra in the best possible way. 😉

If you are looking for more comfort food recipes, be sure to try my chili dip, crockpot chicken thighs with potatoes, slow cooker brats, and homemade chili next time!

Plate with cheesy potato casserole and ham and green beans

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

What is Potato Casserole?

Like any casserole recipe, there are many different varieties with different names! This particular cheesy potato casserole is a classic here in Minnesota and is often served on holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinner. Some people know this family favorite as funeral potatoes as it’s a staple at funeral luncheons. The simplest versions are a mixture of diced potatoes or hash browns, cream of chicken soup, sour cream and/or butter, and some seasonings. I’ve added some extra flavor to my version, but it still has the classic feel.

What You’ll Love About this Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

  • Tons of flavor
  • Creamy, cheesy, savory flavor
  • Tender potatoes and a crunchy topping
  • Made with 8 basic ingredients
  • Takes just 10 minutes to prep
  • Total time is 60 minutes
  • Perfect side dish to almost any main dish
  • Classic dish for holiday dinners and family gatherings

Ingredients to Make Easy Cheesy Potatoes

  • Diced potatoes – Often times the prepared hash browns and potatoes are in the refrigerated section of stores near eggs and dairy. You can also use the diced hash browns with onions or vegetables. Frozen diced potatoes also work; just make sure to take them out to thaw. You can also dice your own potatoes into about 1/2 inch cubes – try Yukon gold or red potatoes for great color and flavor. If you use traditional russet potatoes, be sure to peel them first.
  • Green onions – The green onions give a milder flavor than regular onions would. You could also use chives.
  • Cream of chicken soup – Look for a can of cream of chicken soup (condensed), you could also use cream of mushroom soup or some people like to use cream of celery.
  • Butter – Use any unsalted butter.
  • Sour cream – I recommend full-fat sour cream for best flavor, but use whatever type you prefer.
  • Spices – Garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper
  • Shredded cheese – I recommend sharp cheddar cheese for these cheesy hashbrowns, but you could also use any cheddar, colby jack, or even pepper jack for a little spice.
  • French fried onions – Many funeral potato recipes call for corn flakes, crushed potato chips or ritz crackers, but I think the savory flavor of fried onions adds a boost of flavor and crunch to this potato dish.
Spoon scooping out potato casserole

How to Make Cheesy Potato Casserole with Diced Potatoes

This is an overview on how to make cheesy diced potato casserole, the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.

Prep ingredients. Thaw potatoes if frozen. Thinly slice green onions.
Mix wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, melted butter, sour cream, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
Glass bowl with ingredients for cheesy potato casserole recipe
Mix diced cheesy potatoes. Fold in potatoes, green onions and shredded cheese and stir to combine.
Bake potatoes. Transfer cheesy potato casserole mixture to a casserole dish and sprinkle the top of the casserole with fried onions. Bake covered with aluminum foil for 40 minutes and uncovered for another 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and top is golden brown. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired.
Funeral potatoes in a white baking dish

FAQs

Is cheesy potato casserole gluten free?

Not as written, but if you use gluten-free potatoes, gluten-free cream of chicken soup, and gluten-free onion straws and it will be. So it can be gluten-free with a few swaps.

Can I make this with shredded hash browns?

While this particular recipe calls for diced potatoes, it will work with shredded hash browns as well. It will take a little less time cooking, so start checking it after the initial 40 minutes.

How many calories in cheesy potato casserole?

The full nutrition stats are below, but there are 359 calories per serving in this particular cheesy potato casserole recipe. It’s a decent-sized serving, but you could also stretch it into smaller servings as well.

What goes with cheesy potato casserole?

This is an Easter cheesy potato casserole recipe at our house, which means it’s perfect with apricot glazed ham but it’s also great with roasted chicken, spatchcock turkey, air fryer turkey breast, steak, or really anytime you need a potato side dish.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How to reheat

Reheat the leftovers in a microwave or a 375 degree F oven until heated through.

Can you freeze cheesy potatoes?

Yes, transfer casserole to a freezer container and freeze for 2-3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Can you make cheesy potato bake ahead of time?

Yes, you can easily prep this recipe ahead. Make and assemble the potato mixture a day or two ahead and store in the fridge. Bake when ready.

Cheesy potato casserole on a plate with ham and green beans

What to Serve with Funeral Potatoes

These cheesy funeral potatoes go with so many main dishes, which is one of the reasons that everyone loves them so much. Try them with one of these main dishes:

Want More?

Follow Emily on Instagram or TikTok for family dinner recipe videos and tips for feeding kids.

More Easy Side Dishes

If you like this recipe for cheesy potato casserole, you might also like some of these other simple side dish recipes:

Let me Meal Plan for you!

In a dinner time rut? Overwhelmed with the task of meal planning? It’s time to hand over meal planning to a pro!

This done-for-you plan can easily be customized and your grocery list is made with the click of a button – all while you sit in the school pick up line.

You’ll save time, save money, waste less food, and go into meals calm instead of stressed. Your dinner is planned and your grocery list is made and everything is conveniently delivered to an app so you can print it out, access from your phone, or computer.

Print

Want to save this recipe?

Just enter your email and get it sent to you inbox ! Plus you will get new recipes from us every week!

clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Cheesy potato casserole on a plate with ham and green beans

Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 9 reviews

Description

Easy cheesy potato casserole with diced potatoes (aka funeral potatoes)  is the BEST side dish, and a staple at holiday tables.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 40 oz. refrigerated diced potatoes
  • 4 green onions
  • 1 cup cream of chicken soup (condensed)
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups fried onions

Instructions

  1. Prep ingredients:
    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    Thaw potatoes if frozen.
    Thinly slice green onions.
  2. Melt butter in a large bowl and then add the soup, sour cream, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Whisk together until smooth.
  3. Fold in diced potatoes, green onions, and sharp cheddar cheese. Place mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
    Glass bowl with ingredients for cheesy potato casserole recipe
  4. Sprinkle with fried onions and top with aluminum foil. Cook for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. 
    Funeral potatoes in a white baking dish

Notes

  • I used plain Simply Potatoes Diced Potatoes, but you could also use the version with onions and peppers. 

This post may contain affiliate links. They do not add any charge to you, but I will make a very small commission from them. I only link to products I use and recommend. Thank you for your support!

Reader Interactions

Did you like this recipe? Please leave a review and let me know what you thought! I appreciate it so much.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Comments

  1. Louise

    This was a very easy recipe to make. I doubled everything and added about 8 slices of crispy bacon, crumbled. Made two good sized trays so it was perfect for a party of about 16-20 people. Tasted awesome and everyone loved it.






  2. Maren

    These were really good! I had to make a few substitutions including cream of mushroom soup and diced potatoes with onions and peppers, but it still turned out great! Will definitely make again!






    • Emily

      YAY! Did you make a big pan of them? I should probably add instructions on how to do that, as I think they are big for parties and holidays. (Perfect too as you can assemble ahead.)

  3. Tut

    5 stars for these cheesy potatoes ~ our Easter dinner guests had seconds or thirds ~ so glad I planned to make a double batch! We’ll make these again, easy and so pleasing.






Trackbacks

recipes