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French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 117 reviews

French Onion Funeral Potatoes is a rich and comforting casserole combining tender hash browns with a creamy, cheesy French onion sauce, topped with crispy homemade fried onions. This dish features layers of savory flavors with the warmth of melted cheddar, tangy sour cream, and aromatic onions, perfect for family gatherings or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes Mixture

  • 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed
  • ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 ½ cups (345 g) sour cream

Sauce

  • ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried mustard
  • ½ cup (120 g) chicken broth, room temperature
  • ½ cup (122.5 g) whole milk, room temperature

Fried Onions

  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced, layers separated (about 4 cups onions)
  • 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray for easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare Potato Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, melted butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Mix thoroughly and set aside for the flavors to meld.
  3. Make Sauce: In a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter. Once melted, add the diced onion and cook until softened, approximately 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle flour, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried mustard into the skillet. Stir and cook this mixture for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
  5. Add Liquids: Slowly whisk in the whole milk and chicken broth, continuing to cook while whisking until the sauce thickens and is smooth. This typically takes a few minutes and ensures a velvety texture.
  6. Combine Sauce and Potatoes: Pour the thickened onion sauce into the bowl with the potato mixture. Stir well to evenly coat all the potatoes with the flavorful sauce.
  7. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the combined potato and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
  8. Bake Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and heated through, indicating the flavors have melded perfectly.
  9. Prepare Fried Onions: While the casserole bakes, line a large baking sheet with two layers of paper towels to drain excess oil. Heat 4 cups of vegetable oil in a large saucepan over high heat to 350°F (175°C).
  10. Fry Onion Slices: Working in batches, add about 1 cup of thinly sliced onions into the hot oil. Fry, stirring occasionally, until they turn a pale golden brown, about 2-5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or fine mesh strainer to remove onions and spread them evenly on the paper towels to drain. Repeat until all onions are fried, ensuring the oil temperature returns to 350°F before each batch.
  11. Season Fried Onions: While still warm, sprinkle the fried onions with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and toss gently to coat evenly.
  12. Top Casserole with Fried Onions: After baking, remove the casserole from the oven and evenly sprinkle the crispy fried onions over the top, adding a delightful crunch and extra flavor to the dish.
  13. Serve: Serve the French Onion Funeral Potatoes warm as a comforting side dish or main at your next meal.

Notes

  • Make sure the hash browns are fully thawed and patted dry for best texture.
  • Use sharp cheddar cheese for intense flavor, but feel free to substitute with other cheeses like Gruyère for a different twist.
  • Frying onions in batches ensures they get crispy and golden without crowding the pan.
  • Keep the oil temperature steady at 350°F during frying to avoid soggy onions.
  • This casserole can be prepared a day ahead; refrigerate before baking and add extra baking time if baking straight from cold.

Keywords: French Onion Funeral Potatoes, Funeral Potatoes, Hash Brown Casserole, Cheesy Potato Casserole, Fried Onions, Comfort Food Casserole

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/french-onion-funeral-potatoes-recipe/