1-Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes Start by thawing your potatoes properly. The easiest method is to transfer frozen hash browns to the refrigerator overnight. If you’re short on time, spread them on a baking sheet and warm in a 200°F oven for about 20 minutes. Thawing ensures even cooking and prevents excess moisture from making your casserole watery. If using fresh potatoes, peel and dice about 10 small potatoes into half-inch cubes. Parboil them for 3-4 minutes until just barely tender they’ll finish cooking in the oven. Drain well and let cool slightly before proceeding.

2-Step 2: Preheat Your Oven Preheat your oven to 350°F while you prepare the casserole mixture. This temperature allows the cheesy hashbrown casserole to cook through evenly without drying out or burning the topping. Position your oven rack in the center position for best results.

3-Step 3: Create the Creamy Base In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, salt, pepper, and dried onion. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined. This creamy mixture is the heart of your funeral potatoes, so take a moment to ensure there are no lumps.

4-Step 4: Combine Potatoes and Cheese Gently fold the thawed potatoes into the creamy base until every piece is well coated. Add the 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and stir to distribute evenly throughout the mixture. The cheese will melt during baking, creating those irresistible cheesy pockets throughout the casserole. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Use a spatula to smooth the top so the casserole cooks uniformly.

5-Step 5: Prepare the Crunchy Topping Place 2 cups of cornflakes in a resealable plastic bag. Using your hands or a rolling pin, crush the flakes into coarse crumbs aim for pieces about the size of breadcrumbs, not fine dust. Some larger pieces are fine and actually add nice texture variation. Pour the crushed cornflakes into a small bowl and toss with the remaining 4 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir until all the flakes are evenly coated with butter, which helps them crisp up beautifully in the oven.

6-Step 6: Add the Topping and Bake Sprinkle the buttery cornflake mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. Take your time with this step a uniform layer ensures every serving has that satisfying crunch. Bake the casserole uncovered for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the edges are bubbling, the topping is golden brown, and a knife inserted in the center comes out hot. If the topping starts browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the remaining bake time.

7-Step 7: Rest and Serve Remove the baked funeral potatoes from the oven and let rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the creamy filling to set slightly, making it easier to serve neat portions.