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French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe

French Onion Funeral Potatoes Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 55 reviews

French Onion Funeral Potatoes are a comforting, cheesy casserole of hash browns and sharp cheddar with a rich, creamy sauce and homemade crispy fried onions on top. Perfect as a side dish for gatherings or family dinners, this recipe takes the classic funeral potatoes up a notch with the deep flavors of caramelized onions and an irresistible crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Potato Mixture

  • 32 ounces frozen cubed hash browns, thawed
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups (345 g) sour cream

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
  • 1/2 cup (120 g) chicken broth, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (122.5 g) whole milk, room temperature

Fried Onion Topping

  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
  • 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Dish Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
  2. Mix Potato Base In a large bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, melted butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Mix until well incorporated and set aside.
  3. Start the Sauce Melt the butter in a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add Seasonings and Thicken Sprinkle in the flour, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried mustard. Stir constantly and cook for another minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
  5. Whisk in Liquids Gradually add the chicken broth and milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and whisk the sauce until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Combine Sauce and Potatoes Pour the thickened sauce over the potato mixture in the bowl. Stir well to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
  7. Bake the Casserole Transfer the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and heated through.
  8. Prepare for Frying Onions While the casserole bakes, line a large baking sheet with two layers of paper towels to absorb excess oil after frying the onions.
  9. Heat Oil Pour the vegetable oil into a large saucepan and heat over high heat to 350°F (175°C). Monitor the temperature with a thermometer for best results.
  10. Fry the Onions Working in batches, add about 1 cup of the thinly sliced onions to the hot oil. Fry, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn pale golden brown, about 2-5 minutes per batch. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer them to the lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining onions, ensuring oil returns to temperature between batches.
  11. Season Fried Onions While still hot, sprinkle the fried onions with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, tossing them to coat evenly.
  12. Add Topping and Serve Once the casserole has finished baking, remove from the oven and sprinkle the crispy fried onions evenly over the top. Serve the casserole warm and enjoy the cheesy, savory goodness with crispy onion crunch!

Notes

  • Hash browns should be thawed completely to ensure even mixing and baking.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
  • The fried onions can be made up to a day ahead—store in an airtight container after cooling completely.
  • Use a mandoline to get evenly thin onion slices for the topping.
  • You may substitute pre-made fried onions in a pinch, but fresh fried onions yield the best flavor and crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: french onion, funeral potatoes, cheesy potatoes, casserole, crispy onions, comfort food, holiday side, potluck, hash brown casserole

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