French Onion Hashbrown Casserole

This heartwarming French Onion Hashbrown Casserole, a decadent twist on the classic funeral potato casserole, is made with french onion dip rather than sour cream. Tastes just like the Cracker Barrel favorite!

This comforting side dish recipe for French Onion Hashbrown Casserole is a total family favorite. It's a twist on the cheesy funeral potatoes using the secret ingredient, french onion dip. I love this recipe since it uses only eight ingredients and is prepped in just 15 minutes.

For my twist on this recipe, I use frozen hashbrowns, French onion sour cream dip, cream of chicken soup, cheese, and butter crackers for this crowd-winning masterpiece. It's great to make-ahead as well as freeze. It pairs perfectly with a main dish like my crockpot chicken and gravy as well as my hamburger steaks. We also love to serve it with green beans, a cooked vegetable blend, a small side salad, and slice of this rich, lightly sweet and soft Ukrainian Easter Bread!

All of the holiday dinners call for this casserole on the dinner table! It's one the whole family will love!

What are Funeral Potatoes?

In times of grief and loss, communities often come together to provide support and comfort. One dish that has emerged as a tradition in various regions, particularly in the south, is the sharing of a dish known by many names—Funeral Potatoes, Cheesy Potatoes, or Potluck Potatoes. The name Funeral Potatoes is what we call them in my family in eastern Kentucky.

Traditional Funeral Potatoes typically consist of a blend of ingredients, including shredded potatoes, cream of mushroom or chicken soup, sour cream, cheese, and a crispy topping. The casserole-style dish is baked until golden brown, resulting in a creamy and satisfying concoction that offers solace to those who partake in it.

There are many variations of funeral potatoes. Some versions include additional ingredients such as diced onions, garlic, ham or crunchy cornflakes on top. Some omit the cream based soups and swap with another creamy element.

In my french onion potato with hashbrowns, I use ready-made French onion dip as the primary creamy base. Its bold flavor and zip along with the crunchy bacon and buttery cracker topping makes this casserole stand apart from the rest!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Dish for All Occasions: Potlucks, family gatherings, holiday get-togethers, and community events are all places where this tasty side dish is welcomed! It's a great recipe to feed a crowd!
• Easy Preparation: It has simple, affordable ingredients with simple to follow steps!
• Precious Memories: This hash brown casserole recipe brings back memories of having it with family and friends.
• Epitome of Comfort Food: The creamy, bacon and cheesy texture combined with the crunchy, buttery cracker topping makes it an incredibly comforting, easy recipe!

Ingredients for a Casserole with Hashbrowns

Scroll down for specific ingredient amounts in the recipe card. 

• Shredded or Cubed Hash Browns: The base of the dish. They provide a hearty and comforting texture and absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.
• French Onion Dip: Enhances creaminess and adds a slight oniony, tangy flavor to balance the richness of the cheese and other ingredients.
  • Store-bought French onion dip is a pre-made dip that is commonly found in grocery stores. It consists of a base of sour cream or a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise, flavored with French onion soup mix or a similar seasoning blend.
• Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: Provides a creamy and savory base for the dish and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor. It helps achieve a golden and crispy top layer during baking.
• Dried Minced Onion: Adds a fresh and mildly oniony flavor.
• White Cheddar Cheese: Adds creaminess, richness, and a savory flavor to the dish. The cheese also creates a gooey and melty texture, binding the other ingredients together.
• Cooked Bacon: Brings a smoky, savory, and crispy element to the dish. The bacon adds depth of flavor and a delightful crunch, complementing the creamy texture of the potatoes.
• Buttery Round Crackers: Creates a crispy and crunchy topping during baking. This adds texture and complements the creamy interior of the casserole.

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED

• 13”x9” Baking Dish
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Spatula
• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Dry Measuring Cups and Spoons

How to make French Onion Hashbrown Casserole

1. In a large bowl, whisk together French onion dip, cream of chicken soup, 4 tablespoons of the melted butter, salt, pepper and dried onion in a bowl.

2. Once combined, stir in the potatoes, shredded cheese, and bacon 

3. Butter or spray with cooking spray a 13"x9" baking dish. Pour in the mixture and spread evenly.

4. In a small bowl, stir together cracker crumbs and the remaining butter. Sprinkle the crumble over top of the potato mixture.

5. Bake uncovered at 50-60 minutes or until gold brown and cooked through. If desired, garnish with additional cooked and crumbled bacon and green onions.

Tips for Success and Substitutions

• Substitute for Cream of Chicken Soup: You can use cream of mushroom soup or celery soup in place of cream of chicken. You can also make it from scratch:
  • For 1 10.5 ounce can substitute, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in ⅓ cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in ⅓ cup milk and ⅓ cup chicken broth until well combined. Season with ¼ teaspoon onion powder and salt and pepper to taste. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes or until thickened and creamy.
• Substitute for French Onion Dip: 16 ounces of sour cream and 1 onion soup mix packet be used in place of the French Onion ready-made dip. If you prefer a homemade onion soup mix follow these steps:
  • Combine 2 ½ tablespoons dried minced onion, 4 cubes regular or reduced sodium beef bouillon, crumbled, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ⅛ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper. This is the equivalent to 1- 1 ounce packet from the box.
• Cheese Choices: Cheddar cheese or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack are popular choices. Sharp cheddar cheese adds extra flavor.
• Topping Options: There are several crispy toppings that work great! A buttery topping of crushed potato chips breadcrumbs, corn flakes, or even crushed seasoned croutons all offer a unique twist.
• Meat Substitutions: Along with bacon, diced ham or cooked sausage also complement this hearty casserole!

Make Ahead Casserole

Prepare the cheesy potato casserole up to the point before adding the buttery cracker topping. Cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Ensure it is well-sealed to prevent air exposure and maintain freshness. Place the covered casserole dish in the refrigerator. You can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.

Before baking, take the assembled dish out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes to ensure even cooking. Just before placing the dish in the oven, add the cracker topping. Preheat the oven to the specified temperature and bake at the recommended time. Adjust the baking time if needed, especially if the dish is cold from the refrigerator.

Storage and Freezing

Allow the cheesy funeral potatoes to cool to room temperature after baking. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3-4 days. Beyond this time, the quality may start to decline.

When reheating, use the oven for the best texture. Preheat the oven to around 350°F, cover the container with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning, and heat until the potatoes are warmed through.

While funeral potatoes can be frozen, it's important to note that dishes with dairy-based sauces may experience changes in texture upon thawing. If you intend to freeze, do so without the cracker topping if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Delicious Side Dishes

• Jiffy Corn Casserole Recipe (6 Ingredients)
• Baked Macaroni and Cheese
• Sweet Onion Casserole
• Easy Cheesy Potatoes