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I don’t know what you call ’em in your neck of the woods, but around here we mostly call ’em Funeral Potatoes and for good reason. In the South, you can show up at a wedding without a covered dish (aka casserole), but you never, ever, ever show up at a funeral or the “visitation” prior to the official “visitation” without food in hand. Or a birthing. Whichever comes first, of course.

If you’re a gourmet chef fixated on preparing the world’s next best famous plate, then you just may turn up your nose at this offering. And you would NEVER EVER send it over to your neighbor’s when Great Aunt Mabel dies cause you’re snooty that way. But…you would be missing out on some seriously delicious, calorie-busting to-die-for tastiness.

Trust me.

Funeral Potatoes may not win any beauty contest, but they will ALWAYS win when it comes to the casserole that is ALWAYS eaten to the last drop at any family gathering or church potluck. Or funeral lunch ’cause we always celebrate deaths with food in the South, ya’ know.

I mean. It’s got all those food groups your doctor or health coach warned you to stay away from: cheese, sour cream, cream of something soup, butter — the real kind. Is your mouth watering yet?

funeral potatoes o'brien w ham diningwithdeb garnished horz

I sometimes vary the dish by using frozen Potatoes O’Brien instead of the regular hashbrowns. Adding leftover ham is another option and makes this a full meal when accompanied by a tossed green salad.

Plus, it’s one of those dishes you can make-ahead and freeze just so you’ll have it hot and ready for the next funeral. Or birth. You want to get there first, of course, and lay your claim to having the tastiest dish on the table.

Funeral Potatoes are definitely to-die-for!

funeral potatoes o'brien w ham for thv11 diningwithdeb