Jalapeño Cheddar Funeral Potatoes

My aunt brought this jalapeño cheddar casserole to a funeral reception years ago, and it completely shifted how I thought about potluck dishes—suddenly everyone was crowding around the savory, spicy side instead of the traditional green bean casserole. The combination of creamy potatoes with that sharp cheddar bite and unexpected jalapeño heat felt both comforting and alive, which seemed oddly perfect for a day meant to celebrate someone's life. I've made it countless times since, and it's become the dish I reach for whenever I want to bring something that tastes like care without requiring hours in the kitchen.

I made this for a Sunday dinner when my neighbor brought over fresh jalapeños from her garden, and there was something magical about turning her gift into something warm and shareable that fed eight people with room to spare. My kids, who usually pick vegetables out of everything, actually went back for seconds because the heat was just enough to feel adventurous without being scary. That's when I realized this recipe works because it doesn't ask you to choose between comfort and excitement.

Ingredients

• Frozen shredded hash brown potatoes: Using frozen saves time and eliminates the debate about texture—they're already shredded perfectly and thaw quickly at room temperature.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: The sharper the better here, because the cream and butter will mellow things out, so you want cheese that can stand its ground.
• Sour cream: This is your secret weapon for tang and richness; don't swap it for Greek yogurt or the flavor shifts completely.
• Condensed cream of chicken soup: I know it sounds old-fashioned, but it adds umami and body that you'd struggle to replicate with fresh ingredients alone.
• Jalapeños: Seed them unless you genuinely love heat, and don't skip the onion—it sweetens slightly as it bakes and balances the spice.
• Cornflakes topping: The butter-soaked cornflakes get wonderfully crispy and golden, creating texture contrast that makes each bite more interesting.

Instructions

Set your stage:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease that 9x13 dish generously—this mixture is thick and will cling to every surface if you're not careful. Think of this as laying out your workspace before you start cooking.

Build the creamy base:

Combine the thawed potatoes, cheese, sour cream, soup, melted butter, and milk in a large bowl, then fold in the jalapeños and onion. The mixture should look loose and creamy, not stiff, so if it seems too dry, add a splash more milk.

Spread and settle:

Pour everything into your baking dish and smooth it into an even layer—this helps it cook uniformly so you don't have crunchy edges and cold centers. Use a spatula to press gently, but don't compact it so hard that it becomes dense.

Crown with cornflakes:

Toss your crushed cornflakes with melted butter until they're evenly coated and golden-looking, then scatter them generously over the top. This is where the magic of texture happens.

Bake until golden:

Put it in the oven uncovered for 40-45 minutes—you'll know it's ready when the top is a deep golden brown and you can see bubbling around the edges. The aroma will fill your kitchen about 30 minutes in and make everyone wonder what you're hiding in there.

Rest and serve:

Let it cool for at least 10 minutes so it sets slightly and becomes easier to scoop. Those first five minutes while it's cooling are the hardest part of this whole recipe.

Save

My mom once made this for a church potluck and a woman came back asking for the recipe, then made it for her own family dinner, and somehow it became the thing people asked her to bring to every gathering after that. I love that a casserole can become someone's signature dish, their thing that people know to expect and look forward to.

Playing with Heat and Flavor

The beauty of this casserole is how forgiving it is about spice levels—you control the heat just by adjusting the jalapeños and deciding whether to seed them. I've served it to people who thought they hated spicy food and watched them eat it happily because the creaminess tempers the heat and the cheese brings everything together. If you want to push it further, a pinch of cayenne pepper stirred into the potato mixture will add complexity without making it aggressively hot.

Why This Works for Every Occasion

Funeral potatoes get their name because they've been brought to countless gatherings where you need to feed people and provide comfort at the same time, and this version respects that tradition while adding personality. It's hearty enough to anchor a meal but doesn't overshadow main dishes, and it reheats beautifully, which means you can make it the day before and just warm it through on bake day. The spice actually makes it more interesting the next day as flavors meld and deepen.

Storage and Make-Ahead Magic

You can assemble this casserole completely the night before, cover it tightly, and bake it when you're ready—just add five to ten minutes to the baking time since it'll start from a cold state. Leftovers keep beautifully in the refrigerator for three days, and reheating in a 325°F oven for 15-20 minutes brings back that crispy cornflake topping instead of turning it to mush. This adaptability is why it shows up at so many tables and why I've made it dozens of times without getting bored.

• Make it vegetarian by swapping cream of mushroom soup and double-checking your cheese rennet if that matters for your table.
• Try panko breadcrumbs instead of cornflakes if you want a more refined crunch instead of that nostalgic cereal texture.
• This feeds eight servings as a side dish, but it stretches further if you're serving it alongside proteins and salads.

Save

This casserole has become comfort food that carries stories of the people and moments where it's been shared, which feels right for a dish that exists to bring people together. Make it once and you'll understand why it keeps showing up at tables everywhere.

Common Questions

→ Can I adjust the spiciness level?

Yes, you can remove jalapeño seeds to reduce heat or add cayenne pepper for extra spice.

→ What can I use instead of cornflakes for the topping?

Panko breadcrumbs make a great alternative for a crunchy, buttery topping.

→ Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?

Using cream of mushroom soup and ensuring cheese is vegetarian-friendly makes this dish suitable for vegetarians.

→ How long should the casserole rest before serving?

Allow the baking dish to cool for about 10 minutes to help the layers set and make serving easier.

→ Can this dish be made ahead of time?

You can prepare the casserole up to the baking step, cover it, refrigerate, and bake when ready.