Cheesy Potato Casserole (Funeral Potatoes)
Cheesy potatoes are a popular dish for any get-together, whether you’re heading to a friend’s BBQ or a holiday celebration. But if you’ve ever searched the internet for a good cheesy potato casserole recipe you know that so many of these dishes are made with processed soups and other pre-packaged ingredients.
Gluten-Free Cheesy Potato Casserole
Not these delicious cheesy potatoes! Made with a handful of pantry staples, this recipe for cheesy potato casserole is completely gluten-free and completely delicious.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
The first step to making your own cheesy potato casserole is to create a condensed soup replacement for the sauce. To make a delicious cheese sauce for your casserole, start by combining cold milk and cornstarch in a small bowl.
Whisk the two ingredients together until they are well combined and all the cornstarch lumps have been smoothed out.
Mix Cornstarch and Milk
Then, pour the milk and cornstarch mixture into a small saucepan and add the butter, salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to come to a boil, making sure to whisk frequently to avoid lumps forming. My favorite heavy-duty whisk: Kuhn Rikon Whisk
When the liquid starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer for a few minutes. As the sauce is simmering, whisk constantly to keep the milk from boiling over or burning on the bottom of the pan.
The Sauce Will Thicken
The sauce will begin to thicken as it simmers. When the desired thickness has been reached (usually after about one minute of simmering), remove the sauce from the hot burner and add half the cheese. Stir the cheese into the milk mixture until all the cheese has melted and is mixed into the sauce.
Combine Ingredients
Set the cheese sauce aside and pour your diced potatoes into a large bowl. Add the cheese sauce to the bowl and stir to coat all the potatoes. Then, add in the sour cream and stir again to incorporate it into the potato mixture.
Grease The Casserole Pan
Prepare a casserole dish by greasing it with nonstick cooking spray and pour the potato mixture into the dish. Place the dish into a preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35 minutes.
But you’re not finished yet! When the potatoes have baked for 25 minutes, remove them from the oven and add the remaining cheese to the top. Then, put the dish back in the oven to bake for the remaining 10 minutes.
After the cheese is nice and melted, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, scoop out a big spoonful of this delicious side dish and enjoy!
Cheesy Potatoes Recipes
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups shredded/grated sharp cheese, divided (save 1 cup to sprinkle on top)
- 1 32 -ounce package of frozen diced potatoes
- 1 cup sour cream
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9×13 baking dish by spraying with nonstick cooking spray. Set the pan aside. In a small saucepan, whisk together milk and cornstarch. Add the butter, salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat until it comes to a boil, whisking frequently. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for one minute, then remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of cheese.
Now, place the frozen diced potatoes in a large bowl. Pour the cheese mixture over the potatoes and stir to mix. Add the sour cream to the bowl and stir to combine all ingredients. Pour the potato mixture in the prepared baking dish. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes. When 10 minutes are left on the bake time, remove casserole from oven and sprinkle remaining cheese over the top. Return to oven and continue baking for remaining 10 minutes.
Why Are They Called Funeral Potatoes?
In Utah, whenever someone dies we are asked to make certain foods to serve the family after a funeral. They typically have a luncheon after the services and burial for close family members. Hence they are called funeral potatoes. It’s funny, in Utah these are made for just about any church function or neighborhood party.
Final Word
I hope you try this cheesy potato casserole. If you do, please let me know! It’s all about cooking from scratch and using food from our pantry, freezer, and food storage stash. Thanks for prepping and being prepared for the unexpected. May God bless this world, Linda
Hi, Linda! I love that you make your funeral potatoes with dices. Most everyone up here makes them with hash browns and that just isn’t right. *BG* I make mine very similar to the way you make yours. I just dice potatoes, rather than using the frozen, and I toss in some onion and peppers, sweet peppers, not jalapenos, for funeral potatoes. I just add a small amount of the onion and peppers for a little flavoring. It’s easy to overpower these potatoes if you add too much.
I hope all is well. Take care and big hugs, Mare
Linda, have you used your dehydrated potatoes in with this recipe? Any adjustments?
Looks scrumptious, and want to try it soon!
Hi Paulette, yes all the time. You just need to hydrate them before. You will love them! Linda
Hi Linda, looks great but can I use fresh potato and do I need to cook them first?
Hi Lynda, frozen potatoes are not cooked, so depending on how thin you cube or slice then absolutely, just adjust the time as needed.Linda
I’m actually making this for dinner tonight.
Hi Jess, oh I love hearing this!! Linda
Okay Linda – I just have to ask – Why are they called funeral potatoes? They sound delicious and I’ll definitely be making them, but the name has me puzzled.
Hi Pat, I should go and explain why they are called funeral potatoes!! In Utah, whenever someone dies we are asked to make certain foods to serve the family after a funeral. They typically have a luncheon after the services and burial for close family members. Hence they are called funeral potatoes. It’s funny in Utah these are made for just about any church function or neighborhood party. Thanks for asking, Linda
Do you top them with anything like crushed corn flakes , or crushed potato chips?
Hi Cheryl, I didn’t on this post. But my regular funeral potatoes I crush Frosted Flakes, everyone asks me why mine taste better than others they have tried! LOL! It’s the Frosted Flakes! Linda
I need to redo this post with better pictures. I may do them tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me. https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/cheesy-potatoes-food-storage/