Our beloved seven-ingredient creamy Company Potatoes, famously known as Funeral Potatoes, is a cherished comfort food that effortlessly pleases any crowd. Whether it’s a casual potluck, an energetic tailgate party, a grand holiday feast, or an intimate family gathering, this cheesy potato casserole is guaranteed to be a hit.
From Sommer’s Kitchen: A Timeless Family Favorite
In a kitchen constantly buzzing with new culinary creations and rigorous recipe testing, it might seem surprising to find a dish that has remained a steadfast staple for over two decades. Yet, today’s feature, the irresistible Company Potatoes, holds a special place in my heart and recipe collection. This cherished casserole is more than just a dish; it’s a legacy passed down by my wonderful mother-in-law, Sue, who first introduced me to its comforting charm. For twenty years and counting, this recipe has graced countless family tables and celebrations, becoming a beloved tradition.
Our simplified, seven-ingredient recipe yields a generously deep pan of zesty, incredibly creamy, and wonderfully cheesy potatoes. It’s designed to feed a large gathering, making it the perfect side dish for major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Imagine serving these rich, savory potatoes alongside a perfectly roasted holiday turkey or a succulent baked ham – a combination that truly defines festive dining.
The secret to its unique flavor and ease lies in using frozen Potatoes O’Brien, a brilliant shortcut that delivers cubed potatoes, diced onions, and colorful bell peppers all in one bag, eliminating extra chopping. This vibrant mix forms the base, which is then enveloped in a luscious blend of full-fat sour cream, tangy salsa verde, rich shredded cheddar cheese, and savory chicken bouillon base. The grand finale is a topping of crushed corn flakes, buttered and baked to a glorious golden crisp, adding an irresistible textural contrast that completes this magnificent casserole. It’s truly a symphony of flavors and textures.
Why Company Potatoes Will Become Your Go-To Comfort Food
- Effortless Preparation and Cleanup: One of the standout features of this recipe is its incredible simplicity. All the ingredients, including the hash browns, can be mixed directly in your casserole dish. This minimizes dirty bowls and utensils, ensuring an easy cleanup that makes post-meal tidying a breeze. Spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your company!
- The Ultimate Comfort Food Experience: Few dishes evoke warmth and nostalgia quite like a rich, creamy potato casserole. Company Potatoes is the epitome of comfort food – hearty, satisfying, and bursting with cheesy goodness. Each spoonful offers a delightful blend of tender potatoes and a velvety sauce, making it the perfect dish to cozy up with on a chilly evening or to share with loved ones during any celebration.
- Simple, Accessible, and Budget-Friendly Ingredients: Despite its luxurious taste, this recipe calls for just seven core ingredients that are readily available at any grocery store. These common pantry staples are not only easy to find but also gentle on your wallet, proving that extraordinary flavor doesn’t have to come with an extraordinary price tag.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: While often associated with holiday feasts and large gatherings, Company Potatoes is far too delicious to reserve for special events. Its adaptable nature makes it ideal for everything from a casual Sunday dinner to a weeknight meal when you’re craving something truly comforting. Don’t wait for a holiday to enjoy this amazing side dish!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Company Potatoes
Crafting the perfect Company Potatoes starts with selecting high-quality ingredients and understanding how each contributes to the overall flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for the best results:
- Frozen Potatoes O’Brien Hash Browns: This is your ultimate shortcut to flavor and convenience. Potatoes O’Brien mix contains not just cubed potatoes but also a delightful medley of diced onions and bell peppers, adding layers of savory depth and a touch of color without extra prep work. It is crucial to thaw them completely before mixing, as frozen potatoes can release excess water during baking, potentially making your casserole watery. Thawing ensures a creamier, more consistent texture.
- Sour Cream: For that rich, luscious, and truly creamy base, opt for a full-fat sour cream. While low-fat versions can be used, full-fat sour cream provides a superior texture and richer flavor that perfectly complements the potatoes and cheese, ensuring your casserole is indulgently smooth.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is highly recommended for its robust flavor, which stands up beautifully to the other ingredients. For the best melting and flavor, grate your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can slightly alter their melting properties, but they will still work in a pinch. Feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like Monterey Jack or a Colby blend for a different twist.
- Salsa Verde: This vibrant green sauce introduces a fantastic tangy and slightly zesty kick to the casserole. You can easily find jarred salsa verde in most grocery stores. If you can’t find it, or prefer an alternative, green enchilada sauce makes an excellent substitute, offering a similar flavor profile and consistency. It adds a subtle brightness that elevates the dish beyond a typical potato casserole.
- Chicken Bouillon Base: Whether you use powdered chicken base, a paste, or crumbled bouillon cubes, this ingredient is a game-changer. It infuses the entire dish with a deep, savory umami flavor, enhancing the potato and cheese notes. It’s a secret weapon for making the casserole taste like it simmered for hours, even though it comes together quickly.
- Corn Flakes: The classic crispy topping! Good old regular Corn Flakes are essential for achieving that iconic golden, crunchy crust that contrasts beautifully with the creamy interior. They become delightfully toasted and slightly nutty when baked, adding an incredible textural element.
- Melted Butter: Used to coat the crushed corn flakes, melted butter is key to creating that irresistible golden-brown and extra-crispy topping. It helps the corn flakes crisp up evenly and adds a rich, savory flavor to the crunch.
Creative Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Company Potatoes
While the classic Company Potatoes recipe is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully versatile, inviting you to customize it to your taste or dietary needs. Here are some ideas to inspire your next batch:
- Add a Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, incorporate some diced green chiles or finely chopped jalapeños into the potato mixture. Adjust the quantity to your preferred spice level. A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce could also be stirred into the creamy base.
- Bacon Bliss: Elevate the savory profile by stirring in crumbled cooked bacon. You can mix it directly into the potato layer before baking for an integrated flavor, or sprinkle it on top during the last few minutes of baking for added crunch and visual appeal. Bacon and potatoes are a match made in heaven!
- Sweet & Savory Caramelized Onions: For a deeper, sweeter, and more complex flavor, fold in a batch of beautifully caramelized onions. Their rich, sweet notes will complement the savory potatoes and cheese exquisitely, adding a gourmet touch to this humble casserole.
- Extra Creaminess with Cream Cheese: If you desire an even more decadent and rich texture, add some softened cream cheese to the sour cream mixture. Whip it in until smooth before combining with the potatoes for an ultra-creamy, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Crunchy Topper Alternatives: Don’t limit yourself to cornflakes! Get creative with your crispy topping. Crushed Ritz crackers, savory Goldfish crackers, or even crumbled potato chips can offer unique textures and flavors. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free cornflakes or certified gluten-free crackers.
- Garnish for Freshness: A sprinkle of fresh, sliced green onions or chopped chives just before serving adds a burst of color and a fresh, mild onion flavor that brightens the rich casserole. Fresh parsley is another excellent choice for a touch of herbaceousness.
- Vegetarian Adaptation: To make this dish vegetarian-friendly, simply swap the chicken bouillon base for a vegetable bouillon base. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegetarian, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious casserole.
- Dairy-Free Options: For those avoiding dairy, consider using dairy-free sour cream alternatives and a plant-based shredded cheese that melts well. Ensure your cornflakes and bouillon are also dairy-free.
Crafting the Perfect Company Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide
This cheesy, creamy, and utterly comforting potato casserole is not only a crowd-pleaser but also incredibly simple to prepare. With minimal effort, you’ll create a dish that’s both satisfying and impressive. Just combine a few key ingredients, bake until golden and bubbly, and prepare for rave reviews!
For your convenience, the full Company Potatoes recipe with detailed instructions, precise measurements, and handy storage tips is provided in the **printable form** below.
Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftovers
One of the many benefits of Company Potatoes is how well it stores, allowing you to enjoy leftovers for days or even prepare it in advance. Here’s how to properly store and reheat your delicious casserole:
- Storing Leftovers: After the casserole has cooled completely to room temperature, transfer any leftovers into an airtight container. This helps maintain freshness and prevents odors from other foods in your refrigerator. Properly stored, Company Potatoes will remain delicious in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing Leftovers: For longer storage, Company Potatoes freezes beautifully. Allow the casserole to cool completely. You can freeze individual portions in separate freezer-safe containers or a larger batch in a foil-lined baking dish (once frozen, remove from the dish, wrap tightly, and return to the freezer). For best quality, consume within 2 months. Always ensure to thaw frozen portions thoroughly in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating Leftovers:
- Microwave: For quick reheating of individual servings, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly warmed through. Be careful not to overheat, which can dry out the potatoes.
- Oven: For larger portions or to restore some of that crispy topping, reheat in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Place the casserole (covered with foil if you want to keep it moist, or uncovered if you prefer a crisper top) in the oven for 15-25 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly. If the topping seems to lose its crispness, you can remove the foil for the last few minutes of baking.
Inspired Serving Suggestions for Company Potatoes
While these rich and satisfying Company Potatoes are certainly hearty enough to stand as a meal on their own, their true magic often shines as the perfect accompaniment to a wide array of main courses. Their creamy texture and savory flavor make them incredibly versatile. Here are some fantastic pairing ideas to elevate any meal:
Hearty Main Courses:
- Classic Roasts: Pair this comforting side dish with a tender and flavorful Mom’s Best Pot Roast. The rich gravy from the roast will beautifully complement the creamy potatoes.
- Roasted Chicken: A succulent, juicy chicken, like this Honey Orange Roasted Chicken, provides a lighter yet equally satisfying contrast to the decadent potatoes.
- Baked Ham: During the holidays or for a special family dinner, serve these potatoes alongside a classic Almond Crusted Baked Ham. The sweet and savory notes of the ham are a perfect match.
- Comfort Food Classics: For an ultimate comfort meal, present Company Potatoes with savory Steak Fingers and Country Gravy. The combination is pure, nostalgic bliss.
Everyday Dinners & Complementary Sides:
- Grilled Meats: These potatoes are phenomenal with grilled chicken, pork chops, or even a simple steak.
- Green Vegetables: Balance the richness with a vibrant green vegetable. Steamed asparagus, roasted broccoli, or green beans almondine make excellent choices.
- Fresh Salads: A crisp, light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast and adds a healthy element to your meal.
- Brunch Favorite: Don’t overlook these potatoes for a hearty brunch spread! They pair wonderfully with scrambled eggs, sausages, or breakfast casseroles.
Company Potatoes Recipe
Our favorite seven-ingredient creamy Company Potatoes, also known as Funeral Potatoes, is a true crowd-pleaser at potlucks, tailgate parties, holiday meals, and any family gathering.
Video
Our EASY Company Potatoes Recipe is a down-home comfort dish, perfect side dish for holiday meals.
Ingredients
- 2 bags frozen Potatoes O’Brien mix, thawed (28-ounce bags)
- 24 ounces sour cream (could be low fat)
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups salsa verde, or green enchilada sauce
- 1 tablespoon powdered chicken base, paste, or 3 bouillon cubes
- 3 cups corn flakes, crushed
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190°C). In a 3 quart baking dish, combine the thawed potatoes, sour cream, salsa verde (or enchilada sauce), shredded cheese, and chicken base. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined and spread out evenly in the dish.
- Place the corn flakes in a large plastic zip-top bag. Seal the bag and crush the corn flakes using your hands or a rolling pin until they are coarse crumbs. Pour the melted butter into the bag with the crushed corn flakes and toss to ensure they are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the buttered corn flakes evenly over the top of the potato mixture in the baking dish. Cover the pan securely with aluminum foil.
- Bake the covered casserole for 45 minutes. Then, carefully remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly and heated through. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Storing Leftovers – Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing Leftovers – Freeze individual portions in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Make sure to thaw completely before reheating for best results.
Reheating Leftovers – You can either reheat this in the microwave until warmed through, or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for a few minutes until bubbly.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 cup, Calories: 359 kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Cholesterol: 79mg, Sodium: 737mg, Potassium: 351mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1210IU, Vitamin C: 7.4mg, Calcium: 346mg, Iron: 3.5mg
Frequently Asked Questions About Company Potatoes
Absolutely! This casserole is a fantastic make-ahead option, perfect for busy hosts. You can assemble the potato mixture up to 3 days before you plan to bake it. Simply mix all the ingredients (except the cornflake topping) in your baking dish, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven, then sprinkle the buttered cornflakes over the top just before it goes into the oven. This ensures the topping remains perfectly crispy.
No need to worry if you can’t find Potatoes O’Brien! While they add a convenient medley of flavors, you can easily substitute with plain diced hash browns. Just make sure they are thoroughly thawed before mixing. You can also dice a small onion and a bell pepper to mix in with the plain hash browns if you still want those extra elements of flavor and color.
While the recipe is designed for the convenience and consistency of frozen hash browns, you could technically use fresh potatoes. You would need to peel and dice about 3-4 pounds of russet potatoes, then boil them until fork-tender but not mushy. Drain them very well and allow them to cool slightly before proceeding with the recipe. This adds a significant amount of prep time, but results in a slightly different texture.
The key to an extra crispy topping lies in a few steps. First, ensure your cornflakes are properly crushed (not too fine, not too coarse) and thoroughly coated with melted butter. Secondly, don’t add the topping until just before baking. Finally, removing the foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking allows the direct heat to brown and crisp up the cornflakes to perfection.
Discover More Irresistible Potato Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of the comforting versatility of potatoes, then our Company Potatoes are just the beginning! Explore these other fantastic potato dishes that are sure to become new favorites: