These delicious cheesy potatoes are made from scratch with real potatoes. Sometimes called funeral potatoes, this classic potato casserole recipe is made the old-fashioned way without hashbrown potatoes or canned soup.
🥔Ingredients
Potatoes—usually Russets
Sour cream
Green onions
Cheddar cheese—sharp, shredded
Salt and pepper
Optional topping—crumbled cornflakes or potato chips
Jump To (scroll for more)
- 🥔Ingredients
- 👨🍳How to Make Cheesy Potatoes with Real Potatoes-Step-by-Step
- ✔️Tips and variations to get it right every time
- Other delicious potato recipes
- Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes
- ⬇️Making cheesy potatoes for two
- How to make it ahead
- When to serve cheesy potatoes
- Storing leftovers
- ❓FAQs
- 📖 Recipe
- Cheesy Potatoes with Real Potatoes
Featured Comment from Suzanne :
"I loved this casserole! The taste is wonderful, but my favorite thing is the flexibility"
We have been baking cheesy potatoes for over 40 years. They are a great side dish for BBQ, steaks, or almost anything else using only simple ingredients. But it is required with our Easter ham, and no special family meal is complete without baked cheesy potatoes.
Sometimes called Funeral Potatoes or Crack Potatoes, think of this recipe as the original version of funeral potatoes, but much better.
By using raw potatoes that are cooked and then shredded, this potato casserole has an exceptional taste and texture that you will not get using frozen hash browns or condensed soup.
👨🍳How to Make Cheesy Potatoes with Real Potatoes-Step-by-Step
1. Start the boiling water and scrub the potatoes.
2. Cook until fork-tender—about 40 minutes. Then, cool in the refrigerator.
3. Clean and slice green onions
4. Peel the potatoes and shred the potatoes.
5. Mix shredded potatoes with cheese, sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, green onions, salt, and black pepper.
6. Spray a larger baking pan with PAM and add the mixture.
7. Smooth the top. At this point, you can cook or cover and refrigerate for a day before cooking.
8. Bake until golden brown—about 35-40 minutes.
For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.
✔️Tips and variations to get it right every time
A full recipe uses about 3 pounds of potatoes, but it is a casserole, so you don't need to be that exact. That is about 6 medium to large Russet potatoes, but any potatoes may be used.
You can skip the peeling the potatoes if you choose thin-skinned potatoes like Yukon gold.
Frozen potatoes are not recommended due to texture issues. It is just not the same, but they will work.
While I recommend sharp cheddar cheese, mild cheddar or Colby jack cheese are commonly used.
Adding bacon or ham is an excellent touch to make them "crack" potatoes.
We don't use a topping, but it is easy to top with corn flakes, crushed potato chips, or Ritz crackers with melted butter. Or try a topping of panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter.
Other delicious potato recipes
Not quite the potato recipe you wanted? Check out Crispy Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Baby Potatoes, Twice Baked Potatoes, or Old Fashion Scalloped Potatoes.
Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes
Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes with Real Potatoes are so easy and good. From scratch with real fresh potatoes, no frozen potatoes here. It is an excellent side dish for any meal.
⬇️Making cheesy potatoes for two
This recipe is easy to cut in half to make a two cheesy potato casserole (with leftovers). The full recipe makes about 8 servings, and a half recipe will make 4 large servings.
- Use the recipe card and adjust the number of servings from 8 to 4.
- Use the amount of ingredients in the ingredient list, not the instructions—those do not adjust.
- A half recipe fits in a deep 8-inch round or a 6X9 baking dish.
- It will cook a bit faster.
How to make it ahead
Easy to make ahead, cover tight, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. It can come from the refrigerator directly to the oven but may take a few more minutes to bake.
To freeze ahead, bake first, cool, double wrapping, and freeze for 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven covered with foil.
When to serve cheesy potatoes
My wife has declared this part of her absolute favorite meal combined with BBQ Baked Beef Brisket. But this potato casserole is great for any casual dinner or large feast.
This potato casserole is excellent with Baked Turkey Breast, Seared and Baked Strip Steak, or Honey Glazed Ham.
Storing leftovers
Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 4 days. Or you can freeze for 3-4 months. Reheating the microwave or in the oven covered with aluminum foil.
❓FAQs
You can, but frozen hash browns will leave a texture that is not there with real potatoes. Once you try real potatoes, you will not go back.
Yes, but with cauliflower to replace the potatoes. See Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole for the recipe and step-by-step instructions.
📖 Recipe
Cheesy Potatoes with Real Potatoes
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Ingredients
- 3 pounds potatoes - about 6 medium large Russets
- 2 cups sour cream
- 6 green onions
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese - shredded
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Add enough water to cover the potatoes in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat as you scrub the potatoes.
- Scrub about 3 pounds of potatoes. I always use Russet, but others should do. A medium Russet is 7-8 oz. Poke each potato a few times with a fork. This will help them not break apart in the pot. They may still split some, but not as badly.
- Add potatoes to the boiling water. Turn the heat down to low so the water doesn't boil all the way off, and cover. Cook until fork-tender. That is when you can stick them with a large fork, and it will go all the way through—about 40 minutes. Time may vary due to the potatoes.
- Remove the potatoes from the water and place them in the refrigerator to cool for a couple of hours. Peel the potatoes.
- After they have cooled, the skin comes off easily with scrapping. Shred the potatoes. Here I'm hand shredding, but a food processor would be fine.
- Clean and slice six green onions. Add 2 cups sour cream, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and the green onions to the potatoes.
- Mix well. Spray a larger baking pan with PAM and add the mixture. Smooth top. At this point, you can cook or cover and refrigerate for a day before cooking.
- Preheat oven to 350° convection (375° conventional). Bake until golden brown—about 35-40 minutes. A little more if cold from the refrigerator or less if a half recipe or a thinner in the pan.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- You can use the potatoes you want, but I suggest Russets. Scrap the skin off after cooling. If you use a potato with a thinner skin, you don’t need to peel it.
- The exact amount of potatoes can vary a little—no need to weigh them.
- A full recipe needs about 3 pounds of potatoes. One medium-large Russet is about 8 oz.
- A full recipe fits in a 2 ½ quart casserole dish, a 9X13 dish, or a bit smaller.
- A half recipe fits in a deep 8-inch round or a 6X9 dish. It will cook a bit faster. But I highly recommend making a full recipe for leftovers.
- You can make this up and store refrigerated for about 2 days before cooking. You can also freeze after cooking for 3-4 months.
- Done is when the top is nicely brown. Nothing in this casserole needs to reach a set temperature to be safe to eat.
- Leftovers are good refrigerated for 3-4 days and frozen for 3 months.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
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Editor's Note: Originally published October 5, 2013. This recipe was in my top 10 recipes of 2013. I have repeated this dish hundreds of times. Please enjoy one of our favorite dishes. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
This recipe is featured in Thanksgiving Recipes, Christmas Recipes, and Easter Recipes roundups.
Sue Shortley says
Hi Dan, can I use a ricer on the potatoes instead of a grater? Thanks so much. Happy Easter!
Julie from Kalamazoo says
No butter?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Julie in Kalamazoo,
Welcome to the blog from Spring Lake.
No butter is needed, although you could melt some and add it if you want. There is lots of dairy fat from the cheese and sour cream so not needed, and it has enough flavors competing for attention, another is not needed to me.
Dan
Su8 says
You had me at "no soup, no frozen potatoes". Superb recipe. Thanks!
Maureen McGeown says
Onions does not have an apostrophe!
Beka says
Do you have to use Green Onion's or can you use any kinds
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Beka,
Welcome to the blog.
The green onion has a milder distinctive taste. I did substitute once and was not very happy but I probably used too much. So if you do, then a small amount, but my wife will probably be unhappy with me if I do it again.
Dan
Tammy says
We love this recipe. I wanted to make this quick one night so I used hashbrown potatoes that you have to hydrate. Followed the rest of the recipe exactly and it came out petfectly. My husband who does not normally eat a lot of potatoes had three helpings. He's excited that I’m making them tonight.
DrDan says
Hi Tammy,
Welcome to the blog.
This is my wife's must have side dish for any special meal.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Wendy says
This has been on our holiday meal menu for many years my Mom made it now I make it for my family. One thing that we do is use block cheese cracker barrel tastes the best we melt the cheese with a stick of butter until creamy. Take off the heat and mix with the sour cream. Yummy.
Arlene Bartolino says
I can't wait to try this recipe. I find your recipes are straight-forward, simple and always giving great tips. I am not a very good cook, and forever looking for help.
Thanks, DrDan. I did the oven baked drummies tonight and they were so good. Couldn't find a link for a reply, so I am replying along in this message.
Keep 'em coming!
Arlene
Laurajay says
Dr Dan, yummmmmm. These are a better version of a cheesy potato recipe my family has made for years, that we always called party potatoes. I can't to try your version.
Mark says
No time tonight to do it but it looks good. I'll save it to do with chicken.
DrDan says
Hi Mark,
I'm doing this for the weekend with our ham. We almost always do this with ham.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Lara says
I have a small smoked ham on the dinner menu and this would pair perfectly. Can't wait to give this a try!
DrDan says
Hi Lara,
We are planning this for Easter Sunday with our ham.
Thanks for the note
Dan
Suzanne says
I loved this casserole! The taste is wonderful, but my favorite thing is the flexibility. I have physical issues so being able to wait a day to bake is awesome. This recipe is actually almost identical to one I grew up on, but my mom's doesn't have the step which chills the potatoes. It makes a big difference since potatoes shred neatly. Hers tastes wonderful, but the texture is more chunky. I like this one better.
DrDan says
Hi Suzanne,
This continues to be a go-to recipe at our house featured at many family holidays. As you know there is some work to this recipe and I have a smaller easier crockpot version you may like. https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/crock-pot-cheesy-potatoes/
Thanks for the note
Dan
steve roth says
My oh my. I'm headed to the store!
DrDan says
Thank for the note and rating. This is just so good.
DrDan
Mellissa says
We run our potatoes thru a ricer. Would this be an ok texture for this dish? Or would shredded work better? Thanks!
DrDan says
Ricer should be fine... I want one and will put it on my Christmas list...
Dan
Apu says
Goodness!! Can't stop looking at this dish!!
Dan Mikesell says
I wish I had "taste-o-vision" since the picture does not do justice to the taste...
Chris says
I'm going to try something risky with this one. I don't have two cups of sour cream but I do have 2 cups of sour cream based chipotle cream sauce leftover from our fajitas. I think that will taste good used in this recipe but might be too strong.