It’s been a long day and you’re ready to sit down at the table. Your stomach is growling, but you don’t want just any old thing. You deserve something extra delicious that will satisfy your hunger. This recipe for Cheesy Potatoes with Ritz Cracker Topping (also known as funeral potatoes) is just what you need! It has all of the flavors of classic loaded potatoes, without requiring hours in the kitchen or an expensive grocery bill. Plus it takes less than an hour from start to finish!
In come these Cheesy Funeral Potatoes with Ritz Cracker Topping as the perfect side dish. Cubed potatoes (or hash browns) are mixed with savory, creamy ingredients, and baked with a buttery Ritz Cracker topping. This potato casserole is easy to make and will have your family raving for more!
What are Funeral Potatoes?
The name sounds like it should be a delicacy, but funeral potatoes are actually a comfort food. The recipe has its origins in the Midwest United States where it is often served at potlucks following funerals. They’re great for when you need inspiration to feed the masses because they take less than an hour and can serve up to 12 people! The recipe is fairly simple: just boil some cubed potatoes in water until they’re tender; mix in cream of chicken, and sour cream; add shredded cheddar cheese and green onion; stir well so it’s creamy and flavorful.
What are Funeral Potatoes Made of?
This particular recipe features fresh russet potatoes, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, sour cream, spices, green onion, butter, and crushed Ritz Crackers. They all come together to make a creamy potato casserole that everyone will enjoy.
Using Fresh Potatoes Instead of Hash Browns
This recipe is pretty inexpensive to make and it really stretches far! Similar to most recipes, there are some ingredient substitutions that you can use to cater to what you might have on hand or enjoy more. Typically, funeral potatoes are made with shredded hash browns which you can find in the frozen section near the French fries. But, if you prefer to use fresh potatoes like myself, you can use cubed russet potatoes. Just be sure to a 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the water when boiling the cubed potatoes for added flavor. Both fresh and frozen potatoes taste delicious so it is simply a matter of convenience.
Topping Options
The buttery top layer of funeral potatoes is the best part in my opinion. I am such a sucker for buttery Ritz Crackers so I naturally pivot to using these, but there are several crunchy toppings you could consider.
- Bacon Crumbles for a savory, meaty flavor that is similar to twice baked potato casserole.
- Buttery panko garlic breads crumbs.
- Fried onion straws.
- Plain cornflakes.
- Cheddar cheese.
Additional Recipe Swaps
You can add 8 ounces of room temperature cream cheese to make these even creamier. Mix it in with the other ingredients.
Cream of mushroom soup can be used instead of the cream of chicken soup to make this a meatless dish.
Tater Tots can also be used to make funeral potatoes. You will need 4 cups of tater tots and will need to bake this for 50-55 mins at 350 degrees F.
Storing and Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add portion to a toaster oven or oven to crisp up the topping and heat to warm throughout.
To freeze this meal, I suggest using an aluminum casserole dish in the same dimensions. These days they typically can be found with foil lids at the dollar store. Prepare the casserole (according to the directions below) but do not add the Ritz Cracker topping. Freeze covered, and with multiple layers of plastic wrap for up to 30 days. To heat, thaw casserole in the fridge overnight. Add the cracker topping and bake as instructed below.
What to Serve with Cheesy Potato Casserole
This delicious potato dish would be the perfect side for Thanksgiving, holidays, parties, BBQs, or even funeral potlucks. However, it also makes a delicious side dish for any night of the week. Here are some tasty recipes that would pair well with these cheesy potatoes.
- Pineapple Cherry Glazed Ham
- Apricot Sticky Wings
- Oven Fried Cornflake Chicken
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Dippers
- Grilled Steak Tips
Funeral Potatoes with Ritz Cracker Topping
Equipment
- oven (adjusted to the center rack position)
- 11" x 13" casserole dish
- 6-quart stock pot
- Potato peeler
- cutting board & knife
- food processor
- mixing bowl & spoon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes scrubbed, peeled, cubed. * or frozen hash browns
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt divided* one tsp. is for boiling the potatoes, and the other for seasoning the dish.
- ½ cup green onions sliced into small pieces
Ritz Cracker Topping
- 64 Ritz Crackers 2 sleeves
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Bring a large stock pot of salted (1 teaspoon) water to a boil and add cubed potatoes. Boil for about 10 minutes or until potatoes can be pierced with a fork. Once done, drain potatoes and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 11"x13" baking dish with butter or nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the sour cream, cheese, green onions, melted butter, and cream of chicken soup and spices; mix until combined. Add in the drained potatoes and mix.
- Add potatoes to the greased casserole dish. In a medium-sized bowl, add the crushed Ritz crackers, and butter. Combine until all crumbs are coated. Sprinkle the cracker mixture over the top of the potatoes.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Then, for the last 10 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to crisp up the topping.
Notes
- Bacon Crumbles for a savory, meaty flavor that is similar to twice-baked potato casserole.
- Buttery panko garlic breads crumbs.
- Fried onion straws.
- Plain cornflakes.
- Cheddar cheese.
Thank you so much!
I can’t wait to make this ! I love ur recipes!