From Carrie's House To Mine - Mormon Funeral Potatoes

I have wanted to make Mormon Funeral Potatoes for years  after hearing Chef Carrie Baird (shown below) talk about them on Top Chef - I mean, strange name for a dish, right?

Once I understood their story, I understood their staying power.

Mormon Funeral Potatoes are a comforting, unapologetically rich potato casserole. Creamy, cheesy, and baked until the top turns golden and inviting, they earned their name through the work of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who traditionally prepared the dish for post-funeral luncheons. The exact origin is lost to time, but the intention is clear. Feed people when they need it most.

In Utah and throughout what’s often called the “Mormon Corridor,” these potatoes are a staple. They are budget-friendly, easy to make in large batches, and rely on pantry basics like potatoes, canned soup, butter, and cheese. But their real value has never been convenience. It’s compassion. This is food meant to be shared, carried into kitchens and church halls, and set on tables where comfort matters more than presentation.

Which, let’s face it, pretty much sums up how and why I cook. Try them.

INGREDIENTS

30 ounces frozen hash browns , diced or shredded will work, thawed*

2 cups sour cream

10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup

10 Tablespoons butter, divided, melted

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dried minced onion

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

3 cups corn flakes cereal

METHOD

Allow potatoes to thaw in your fridge overnight, or spread them on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven at 200 degrees for about 20 minutes, until thawed.

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine sour cream,  cream of chicken soup, 6 Tablespoons of melted butter, salt, pepper and dried onion in a bowl. Mix well.

Add potatoes and shredded cheese and stir to combine. Spoon mixture into a single layer in a 9x13’’ pan.

Add cornflakes to a large ziplock bag and crush gently with your hands or a rolling pin.

Add remaining 4 tablespoons of melted butter to the crushed cornflakes and combine well. Sprinkle mixture over potatoes.

Bake uncovered at 350 for 40-50 minutes.

Over time, the casserole escaped its somber beginnings and became a fixture at potlucks, holidays, and family gatherings of every kind. It shows up when people come together, whether in grief or celebration, because the message is the same. You are cared for. Sit down. Eat.

Which makes it a perfect dish for the holidays. Especially for those wonderful guests who arrive with stories, laughter, and that particular warmth that makes Christmas feel like Christmas. This is food that doesn’t try to impress. It simply shows up, generous and familiar, and somehow that makes it magical.