Nothing beats a warm, cheesy side fresh from the oven. Dutch Oven Cheesy Potatoes are rich, gooey, and ready in less than an hour, making them the ultimate indulgence for any meal.
Quick Look at the Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Dutch Oven Cheesy Potatoes aka Funeral Potatoes
- 🕒 Ready In: 75 minutes (20 prep + 55 cook)
- 👪 Serves: Makes about 8 side dishes
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Frozen shredded hash browns, cheddar cheese, sour cream, homemade cream sauce (butter, onion, garlic, broth, milk), and a buttery cornflake topping
- 📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian-friendly (uses chicken broth — swap for veggie broth if needed); contains dairy and gluten.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Ultra-creamy, loaded with melty cheddar, and topped with buttery crunch. A classic comfort side that's perfect for everything from a church-basement potluck to a backyard BBQ.
Summarize and Save the Recipe
I made these cheesy Dutch oven potatoes for a last-minute family dinner, and everyone at the table raved about them. Also called funeral potatoes, this potato side dish cooks up tender hash browns with cheese and sour cream, making them irresistibly creamy and cheesy.
Ready fast, this is a versatile side that works for everything from weeknight meals to holiday tables. For even more options, you can cook in the oven, smoker, or even over a campfire.
Looking for more cheesy potato goodness? Check out these favorites, like cheesy hasselback potatoes and skillet scalloped potato gratin.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cheesy and Creamy: Loaded with rich cheddar and a smooth, indulgent texture that makes these oven-baked cheesy potatoes a crowd favorite.
- Versatile: Pairs perfectly with any main dish and also makes a delicious camping potato recipe for meals around the fire. For another easy camp-friendly option, try my ground beef and potatoes skillet.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples to create a creamy, cheesy dish anyone can enjoy.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Shredded Hash Browns: You can use frozen or fresh shredded potatoes, which provide the hearty base that holds all the creamy, cheesy layers together. For more Dutch oven potato recipes, try baking potatoes in a Dutch oven for your next meal.
- Sour Cream: Brings creaminess and a slight tang to the dish. Full-fat sour cream works best for a smooth texture.
- Onion: Either diced or thinly sliced, onions add mild sweetness and depth to these cheesy oven potatoes.
- Cheddar Cheese: Both sharp and mild cheddar work; freshly shredded cheddar melts better than pre-shredded.
- Cornflakes: Makes the crunchy topping for the Dutch oven funeral potatoes. You can also use crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs for a slightly different flavor that still has some crunch.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Loaded Style: Top with cooked bacon, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream when serving to make the dish extra indulgent. These same toppings make this broccoli potato soup so much better!
- Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne, smoked paprika, or diced jalapeños to the layers for a subtle heat that complements the cheese.
- Breakfast Style: Add cooked sausage or diced hamto turn it into a hearty breakfast casserole and serve with some warm buttermilk biscuits.
How to Make Dutch Oven Cheesy Potatoes
Making cheesy potatoes in the oven has never been easier. Layer, bake, and enjoy! Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and get your cast iron skillet or Dutch oven ready.
- Step 1: Cook the Onion. Melt the butter in your pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened.
- Step 2: Add the Flour. Add the garlic and flour to the onions and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Step 3: Make the Sauce. Add the broth while whisking. Then add the milk and seasonings. Bring to a simmer and cook until it thickens.
- Step 4: Make it Creamy. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the sour cream.
- Step 5: Add the Hash Browns. Add the hash browns and cheese. Stir together until everything is mixed.
- Step 6: Make the Topping. Combine the cornflakes and melted butter. Stir to coat.
- Step 7: Add the Topping. Sprinkle the cornflake mixture over the top of the potatoes.
- Step 8: Bake. Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Enjoy with your favorite comfort foods like this Mississippi pot roast.
Expert Tips
- Cheese Perfection: Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting and a smoother texture.
- Smoker Tips: If cooking this dish in the smoker, you can use any kind of wood pellets. Cook the potatoes uncovered for a smokier flavor.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the dish in the Dutch oven, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these cheesy potatoes alongside sausage stuffed peppers for a comforting weeknight dinner or family meal.
- Great for potlucks or camping, these potatoes are easy to share with a crowd and go well with some skillet burgers.
- They’re perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, and pair well with my herb butter turkey and skillet sausage stuffing.
Dutch Oven Cheesy Potatoes Recipe FAQs
Assemble the layers in a cast-iron Dutch oven just like you would at home. Place the oven over hot coals or on a campfire tripod, cover with the lid, and add coals on top for even cooking. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 25–30 minutes. These easy camp potatoes are a must-try on your next camping trip.
No, I don't recommend freezing this dish. The potatoes will turn to mush and the texture of the sauce is likely to change as well.
Absolutely! If making this dish in the oven or smoker, you can use a Dutch oven, cast iron skillet, a 9x13 oven-proof casserole dish, or a disposable aluminum container. If you are making this over a campfire, a Dutch oven works best as you can more easily nestle it into the coals for more even cooking.
More Delicious Side Dishes
If you tried this Dutch Oven Cheesy Potatoes or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Get the Recipe
Dutch Oven Funeral Potatoes
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup salted butter
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup flour
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground pepper
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- 1 26-oz bag frozen shredded hash browns
- 2 cups cheddar cheese freshly grated
Topping
- 1 cup corn flakes
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- Chopped parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 300° F or your oven to 350° F while you assemble the dish.
- In a 12-inch cast iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 6-7 minutes.
- Add the garlic and flour and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Slowly pour in the broth while whisking followed by the milk and all the seasonings. Bring to a simmer and simmer until thickened.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream until smooth. Add the hashbrowns and shredded cheese and mix carefully until combined.
- In a small mixing bowl toss the corn flakes and butter together.
- Sprinkle the corn flakes over the top of the skillet.
Oven
- Place the dish in the oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the potatoes are hot and bubbling on the sides.
- Remove from the oven and serve hot with a garnish of parsley, if desired.
Smoker
- Place the dish on the grill. Close the lid and smoke for about 55-65 minutes or until the potatoes are hot and bubbling on the sides.
- Remove from the smoker and serve hot with a garnish of parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheddar instead of pre-shredded for the best melt and creamiest texture. Pre-bagged cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce slightly grainy.
- Cook the potatoes uncovered in the smoker. Covering the dish traps steam and prevents that subtle smoky flavor from fully developing.
- If you don’t have a 12-inch cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, you can use a disposable aluminum pan or a 9x13-inch oven-safe casserole dish instead.
Nutrition
Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Julian says
This recipe is the ultimate comfort food and the smoky flavor from the cast iron really elevated the dish. It was a crowd-pleaser at our family gathering and there wasn't a single spoonful left in the pot.
Tara says
I loved how easy it was to layer the ingredients and let the pot do all the work while I finished the main course. The combination of the tender potatoes and the rich, bubbly cheese sauce was a huge hit with my kids.
Nolan says
These potatoes turned out incredibly creamy and the Dutch oven gave the cheese a perfect golden crust on top. It is a simple, comforting side dish that paired perfectly with our roast dinner.
Cami says
This was so good and cheesy! The only thing I did differently was dice the onions.