A Midwestern favorite side dish often taken to families after a funeral these Crock-Pot Funeral Potatoes are also known as simply “cheesy potatoes”. This is a wonderfully delicious side dish recipe perfect for any potluck or family get-together.
Slow Cooker Funeral Potatoes
So this has turned out to be one of my favorite recipes, both for me, my family and my personal friends. They absolutely love when I whip up a batch of Crock-Pot Cheesy Potatoes. It’s an easy recipe to put together and makes a great dish to bring at a potluck or as a side dish.
Now where I’m from we call them “Funeral Potatoes” because often big batches are put together and brought over to the family meal after a funeral. They work great with Ham or Roast Beef and are very filling. Kids love them because they are cheesy and they are potatoes and really is that not the best combo?
One of the tricks I use with this recipe, is I use Cream of Celery vs Cream of Mushroom soup because I’m not a huge Cream of Mushroom fan. So, realizing I could use cream of celery instead and it would only improve the flavor got me very excited!
In this recipe I use frozen potatoes because chopping up potatoes for a recipe like this is time consuming and Idaho Potatoes or Russet have quite a bit of starch in them, so when you chop them up for meals like this, then turn colors. So, then have to wash out the excess starch to have a pleasing color.
Between chopping them the right size and then washing out the starch is way more then I’m going to put into a recipe. So I use Ore-Ida Diced Hash Browns because I don’t like the texture of shredded hash browns for this, it just becomes too mushy.
The diced hash browns are the perfect texture and stay intact.
Also, I prefer to use chopped onions for the recipe, but if you have family that doesn’t like onions, if you shred those onions using a cheese grater, they won’t be able to tell they are in the dish (insert my children 🙂 .)
Equipment Needed For Crock-Pot Funeral Potatoes Recipe:
- 6 Quart, 6.5 Quart Or 7 Quart Slow Cooker
- Microwave Safe Bowl
- Silicone Spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Cheese Grater
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe, as is, is a great base recipe which can be dressed up however you like. Feel free to experiment with the recipe by adding other ingredients such as bacon, sausage, peppers, etc.
You can use either russet potatoes or Idaho potatoes by peeling, dicing and soaking the potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch. Drain the potatoes well and proceed with the recipe. Reduce the cooking time by about 1/2 hour if using fresh potatoes.
Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled. Just place everything in a larger slow cooker and increase the cooking time by about 1 hour.
You do not need to thaw the frozen hash brown potatoes before using them in this recipe. However if the frozen potatoes have clumped together a bit in the bag you will want to break up the clumps first before proceeding wit the recipe. And, if you have thawed potatoes that you want to use in this recipe just decrease the cooking time by about 1/2 hour.
Some people have commented on the morbid name of this recipe. However, this is a popular dish in the mid-west (and other parts of the US too) to make and bring to a funeral for the grieving guests and family to eat. You can also call it “cheesy potatoes” if the name bothers you.
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| Rating |
Rate this recipe!
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| Servings | 8Servings |
| Prep Time | 10Minutes |
| Cook Time | 4 - 10Hours |
- 10.75 Ounces Canned Cream Of Celery Soup
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion Diced
- 1/4 Cup Butter
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese
- 1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 32 Ounces Frozen Diced Hash Brown Potatoes
- 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
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Ingredients
Servings: Servings
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- Melt butter on 50% power in microwave enough to get it softened. Pour into a large mixing bowl.
- Melt cream cheese in same container as butter on 50% power in 30 second increments, watching very closely to keep it from burning. Cream cheese does not need to be liquid, it just needs to be softened enough to be able to be stirred. Pour into the same mixing bowl as the butter.
- Add the cream of celery soup, diced onion, sour cream, garlic and pepper to the bowl and stir well until everything is mixed together.
- Add the frozen potatoes and shredded cheese and stir once more to mix thoroughly.
- Pour mixture into a 6 quart or larger slow cooker and spread evenly.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours until the potatoes and onion are cooked through.
To make clean up easier you may wish to either line your slow cooker with a slow cooker liner or spray with non-stick cooking spray. If your slow cooker has a tendency to burn feel free to give the potatoes a stir every couple of hours. Additionally, you may want to carefully lift the slow cooker insert out of it's base and rotate it as some models of slow cookers have hot spots around the edges. Just keep your eye on it to prevent burning.
I have made these for Christmas with a 24 hour omellete for the past 10 years , tried to not make them for breakfast one year and got yelled at by the kids!! One even said , “mom this is a tradition that I plan on carrying onto my own family” I do add bacon or cubed ham to it tho just to add a little something extra.
would you care to9 share your 24 hour omlet receipe
Could you make these with russet potatoes too? If so, how many do you think you would need?
Yes. It is going to depend on the size of the potatoes. I would think about the same as the recipe calls for with maybe one or two less.
Happy spring Ladies&gents…Thanks for recipe. Sounds like 1000 calories. In my circle we say often “Homegoing”…vs funeral…
May title them cheesey surprise, especially if I add in thick slice maple bacon… Guilty pleasure 3 X a year or so. I really shouldn’t be eating bacon… Thanks for recipe. Have a Blessed safe week………come on warm temperatures to MARYLAND…☆☆☆☆☆.
Thanks for dropping by Christel and the cheery comment! And bacon…everything is better with bacon right?
LOVED this! My family said it’s a keeper. If I double the recipe, do I need to increase the cook time?
Since you’re really just warming everything up, I don’t think you’ll need to. The only thing that really “cooks” is the onion.. So you could saute on them on the stove for a few minutes if you’re concerned.
Glad to liked them!
Funeral potatoes? Why would you call them that? That is sickening to me. Like I am going to tell my kids I am making something like that! Just pure stupidity from the Midwest. Can’t stand you “Heartlanders”.
Well aren’t you just a pure ray of sunshine Kyle Ray?
They are called funeral potatoes because it is a dish you bring to grieving families to a funeral. It is called being kind, caring and compassionate.
YOU can call them what ever you want…cheesy potatoes works just fine.
Oh PLEASE block that woman above. If I get some friends to join to make up for her, could you? Imagine! Blaming you for the name of a dish. They have been called Funeral Potatoes since the beginning of last century! Probably further back than that.
We don’t normally block readers and I totally get that some folks are put off by the name. But we stand our ground with the name. It is what people in our circles call them. And in fact…it is one of our top searches here on the site. A rose by any other name….and all that jazz.
Thanks for your support Melissa we appreciate it!
I actually quite like the name, when I made them for some Spanish missionaries who I had for dinner one night they were trying to translate the name for the Sister who did not speak English particularly well, it ended up as “patatas de la muerte” which when translated back into English is the potatoes of death… Lol.
Would be great for Halloween with that name…although the Spanish version actually sounds lovely!
Keep your comments and sarcasm about ppl from the heartland to yourself.
@Kyle Ray
They’re called ‘funeral potatoes’ because it’s a tradition. Ree Drummond calls them that too. Why so prickly?
I live on the Alabama/Florida border—definitely not yhe midwest. When someone in our family/friend circle ⭕️ passes we bring Aunt Junes (Baked) Funeral Beans AND folks are thrilled!
We do funeral beans too Nadine.
Why be mean.. Tell you kids it’s cheese potatoes instead.does the name really matter. Such hostility over a little thing.lighten up!
Lighten up. You can rename the recipe once you copy it.
One of my favorite dishes. I will be making it for President’s Day this year. Somehow the name fits the atmosphere!
That is awesome Gina!
Actually it was just cheesy potatoes, but when the served it at a funeral it was such a hit, they named it Funeral Potatoes. So do nut be offended at the name!
These potatoes are great in the crock pot when presented at the priesthood potluck on the Saturday of general conference….thank you for the idea..could we call them conference potatoes or priesthood potatoes.. woe boy
We are so glad the priests at your conference enjoyed the potatoes. Conference potatoes or priesthood potatoes is a great name and a little less morbid than funeral potatoes. But as we like to say whatever you call them as long as you call them “delicious” we are happy!
I see some recipes call for thawing the frozen hash browns before preparing. Is this recommended or no?
Hi Kim,
In this recipe you do not need to thaw the frozen hash-browns. They defrost and cook pretty quickly in the slow cooker.
Made these potatoes for New Years DayDinner with friends. It was an instant hit. Everyone loved them the recipe was easy to follow. will be making this dish again. Thank you for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed the Funeral Potatoes recipe Christine!
DIK! Call them what ever you want. Call them City Slicker Kyle’s ass wipe potatoes for all we care. It’s just a term used because they are a common comfort casserole type food served sometimes after someone has passed away. Wouldn’t want you attending any post funeral get togethers with that attitude. What an a*hole. Stay in your miserable douche mode Kyle Ray whose so cool he puts down food recipe names in his spare time.
I just found your recipe for Funeral Potatoes and most definitely will try it. I have made this dish in the oven many many times but love this slow cooker version. Regarding the name…YES they are FUNERAL POTATOES!! I work in a church and we love “Funeral Food!” Here, everyone brings their favorite dishes to serve to the family either before or after the memorial service. The church staff and helpers always share the meal with the family and it is a great time of comfort to all, in addition to the good food and friendly fellowship. On a similar note, my mother always called potted mums (available in the fall) “funeral flowers.” In our family we all know what kind of flowers those are. Thank you for all your good recipes. I use my slow cooker at least once or twice a month so am glad to have new ideas.
Thanks Becky for the kind words and validation that these are indeed “funeral potatoes”. There are quite a few recipes out there for funeral food I am learning from all of you dear readers!
I’m allergic to sour cream. Is there anything I can substitute for it. I would love to try these.
Hi Wendy, while we have not tested this recipe using substitutes for the sour cream I would think that plain unflavored Greek yogurt should work in this recipe.
If you try it please come back and let us know how it turned out for you!
Hello,
Never heard of this in the northeast but am definitely wanting to try!
I’m not a big fan of the canned condensed soups. Do you think a very thick homemade cream sauce/roux of about the same measurement would work?
Thanks so much for posting this recipe!
Hi Kim, this recipe has not been tested using a homemade cream sauce but it may work. If you give it a try be sure to come back and let me know how it turned out for you.
Looks yummy and will get the ingredients later and make tomorrow. When I first heard “funeral potatoes”, I pictured Laura Ingalls’ mother slow cooking up a batch over the fireplace on Little House On The Prairie to take to a grieving neighbor by horse and carriage, wrapped in towels on her lap as they hit every bump and rock on their way into town. NJ here, the Kyles of the world are outnumbered but unfortunately loud.
Love this comment Sissy as I am a HUGE Little House On The Prairie fan! Too bad Ma Ingalls didn’t have a Crock-Pot!
Would this recipe be good with any other creamed soups besides celery?
You could definitely use whatever creamed soup you prefer.
Have a question about the funeral potatoes. Since you mix everything in a bowl before putting it in the crock pot can you mix the stuff, cover it and put it in fridge to make the next day?
Hey Linda!
Absolutely! Enjoy!