Potato Casserole with Rice Krispies is a cheesy hash brown casserole with a crispy, crunchy topping. Often called Funeral Potatoes, this is the perfect side dish for almost any entrée.

Flashback to the ’90s when this cheesy hash brown casserole hit your dinner table. You take a bite, and the first thing you notice is the crunchy topping. Who knew your mom was the coolest by putting breakfast cereal on top of cheesy potatoes.

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Potato Casserole with Rice Krispies

Rice Krispies on top of cheesy potatoes…

Sounds absurd, right?

But, it’s not. It’s ingenious.

Rice Krispies are barely sweetened. This means they are only a vessel to absorb the butter and to give a nice crunchy topping to cheesy potato casserole.

I am so glad I found this vintage funeral potato recipe in my old Quailtown cookbook.

Ingredients for Hash Brown Casserole with Rice Krispies

Frozen Hash Browns

Cream of Chicken Soup

Water

Sour Cream

Onion, dried minced or fresh

Salt

Black Pepper

Shredded Cheese

Butter

Rice Krispies Cereal (rice cereal)

How to Make Cheesy Potatoes with Rice Krispies

Step By Step Instructions

In a very large bowl, stir frozen hash browns, cream of chicken soup, water, sour cream, onion, salt, pepper and shredded cheddar cheese.
Pour into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
In a separate bowl, combine melted butter and Rice Krispies; sprinkle mixture over potatoes.
Bake for approximately 1 hour or until hot and bubbly all the way to the center of the cheesy potato casserole.

For the full recipe and ingredient amounts for cheesy potatoes with Rice Krispies, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Can you prepare cheesy potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, that’s the best part. Mix together all the ingredients except for the crunchy topping ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator up to 12 hours before baking.

Don’t add the crispy, crunchy topping until right before baking. If you add it before refrigerating, the topping will absorb moisture and not get crunchy.

Can I freeze hash brown casserole?

Yes, you absolutely can. Prepare the cheesy hash brown casserole except for any topping. Wrap tightly in an air-tight container, and freeze for up to 3 months.

What is a good substitute for panko bread crumbs?

Looking for a crispy, crunchy topping but you don’t have any panko bread crumbs on hand? Open up the cereal cabinet, and grab either a box of rice cereal (Rice Krispies) or corn flakes. Either make a great substitute for panko bread crumbs.

What can I use for a casserole topping instead of Rice Krispies

If you need a crunchy topping, then the sky is the limit. Substitute corn flakes, crushed butter crackers, crushed croutons, buttered bread crumbs or even potato chips for Rice Krispies as a casserole topping.

What are funeral potatoes

Funeral Potatoes are a term that refers to a cheesy potato casserole or hotdish. This potato casserole is often served at the meals that follow a funeral.

Recipe FAQs

This delicious dish is often called funeral potatoes.
Use frozen hash browns, not thawed.
For less fat, use fat free or low fat sour cream.
Fresh onion or dried minced onion can be used. Add to your preference. I typically use 1 tablespoon dried, minced onion or 1/2 – 1 cup diced onion.
I typically use shredded cheddar cheese but you can sub in your favorite type of shredded cheese to change things up.
Use anywhere from 1 to 2 cups shredded cheese, depending on how cheesy you like your crispy cheesy potato bake.
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What goes with cheesy potato casserole?

Cheesy Potatoes are pretty much the ultimate side dish. Here’s our top ten favorite main dishes to serve with cheesy potato casserole.

Recipes that Use Rice Krispies

Rice Krispies Scotcheroos

White Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Print Recipe

Potato Casserole with Rice Krispies

Potato Casserole with Rice Krispies is a cheesy hash brown casserole with a crispy, crunchy topping.

Prep Time10

Cook Time1

Total Time1 10

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cheesy potatoes with rice krispies, crispy cheesy potato bake, funeral potatoes, hash brown casserole with rice krispies, potato casserole with rice krispies

Servings: servings

Author: Barbara

Ingredients

30 ounces frozen hash browns
10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
1 cup water
16 ounces sour cream
1 Tablespoon dried minced onion (see notes for fresh onion)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 – 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter
2 cups Rice Krispies

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, mix frozen hash browns, cream of chicken soup, water, sour cream, onion, salt, pepper and shredded cheese.
Pour into prepared dish.
Melt butter; mix with Rice Krispies.
Spread over top hash brown casserole.
Bake (uncovered) for 1 hour or until hot and bubbly all the way to the center of the potato bake.

Notes

This delicious dish is often called funeral potatoes.
Use frozen hash browns, not thawed.
For less fat, use fat free or low fat sour cream.
Fresh onion or dried minced onion can be used. Add to your preference. I typically use 1 tablespoon dried, minced onion or 1/2 – 1 cup diced onion.
I typically use shredded cheddar cheese but you can sub in your favorite type of shredded cheese to change things up.
Use anywhere from 1 to 2 cups shredded cheese, depending on how cheesy you like your crispy cheesy potato bake.
Love cheesy potatoes? Try this version topped with bacon.

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