That first hiss from the cooker tells you something good is happening. It’s like a little whisper telling you to get ready cause the flavors inside are doing their thing. You spot the sealing ring tighten as the pressure gets high.

You remember that cozy feeling waiting for those potatoes to hit perfect tender pull. It’s gotta be just right so they melt in your mouth but still hold a little shape. The valve hiss sings the start of a delicious countdown.
Then comes the natural release, slow and steady, letting that steam tell you when your dish is perfectly done. You feel proud cause it’s way faster than the oven but still packed with that creamy cheesy goodness. This Funeral Potatoes recipe works real good in your pressure cooker.
The Truth About Fast Tender Results
- You rely on the steam cues to know when it’s time to switch.
- The sealing ring keeps all that moisture locked in, no drying out here.
- Frozen diced hash browns cook evenly without getting mushy.
- The natural release phase prevents your potatoes from feeling mushy or falling apart.
- Pressure cooker traps flavors making everything super savory and cozy.
- The tender pull of potatoes is quick but still melts with every bite.
- The valve hiss is your cooking signal so you don’t overcook or peek too early.
Understanding the cues like the valve hiss and the sealing ring's role is key to mastering this recipe, similar to tips shared in our Classic Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa post that also emphasizes timing for perfect texture.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
- Frozen diced hash browns (1 bag, 32 oz) — the base that’s hearty and cool to work with.
- Sour cream (2 cups) — adds creamy richness and tang; full-fat works best but Greek yogurt is a tangier twist.
- Cream of chicken soup (1 can, 10.5 oz) — for smooth sauce, but mushroom or celery soup can swap in if you want.
- Unsalted butter (¾ cup total) — half goes in the mix, half for topping to crisp things up.
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups) — melty, cheesy goodness keeping it gooey.
- Salt (1 teaspoon) — just enough to boost all those flavors.
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon) — subtle savory bite, but you can toss in diced onions if you please.
- Corn flakes (2-3 cups crushed) — that secret crispy topping everybody loves.
- Extra butter for topping (¼ cup melted) — makes cornflakes golden and crispy.
- Optional black pepper — spice it up a bit if you want some zing.

For variants on creamy, cheesy casseroles, see our Cheesy Kielbasa Hashbrown Casserole Dump Meal Recipe which uses similar base ingredients for rich flavor.
Your Complete Cooking Timeline
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F which comes after your pressure cooker work but this is for finishing the crisp topping.
- In a big bowl, mix sour cream, cream of chicken soup, half of the melted butter, cheese, salt, and onion powder together. You gotta get that creamy base right.
- Add in your frozen diced hash browns and stir until the mix is all even and creamy.
- Spread the whole mixture in a greased 9x13 baking dish, smoothing it out for even cooking.
- Crush your corn flakes just gonna the right size and toss with the other melted butter till it’s fully coated.
- Sprinkle that buttery corn flake mix over the top of the casserole, you want a nice crunchy cover.
- Bake uncovered in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes till the top turns golden and bubbly.
- Once done, let it cool a few mins before serving so you don’t burn your tongue and the flavors settle.
Time Savers That Actually Work
- Grab frozen diced hash browns instead of shredding potatoes yourself. That’s a huge time saver and still tastes dang good.
- Use canned cream of chicken soup cause it’s already seasoned and creamy, no extra messing about needed.
- Mix all your ingredients right in the bowl you’ll serve in to cut down on dishes.
- Prep the topping while the main mix is combining to save minutes. Butter those corn flakes up quick.
More simple and fast meal ideas can be found in our slow cooker pierogi kielbasa casserole recipe, which also highlights efficient ingredient prep.
The Flavor Experience Waiting for You
Each bite you take brings creamy sour cream tang with a smooth savory soup backbone that makes you wanna go back for more. The sharp cheddar melts perfectly into the potatoes giving it this rich, cheesy boost.
You get that crispy cornflake top with buttery crunch that contrasts the soft, tender potatoes underneath. It’s comfort food but kinda fancy at the same time.
The subtle hint of onion powder sneaking in with the buttery background keeps your taste buds guessing and happy while the salt and pepper seal the deal. This dish is warm, gooey, and just plain satisfying.

For other cheesy potato dishes, check out our Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe for a different cheesy comfort food option to warm your meal times.
Smart Storage That Actually Works
- Cool leftovers quickly then cover tightly with foil or a lid before popping them in the fridge. They’ll last up to 3 days and stay tasty.
- Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently until warmed through.
- Reheat in the oven or microwave with a little extra butter or sour cream stirred in before warming so it doesn’t dry out.
Common Questions and Real Answers
- Can I use shredded hash browns instead of diced? Yes, shredded works great and cooks just as well. Texture changes a bit but still dang tasty.
- What if I’m vegetarian? Just swap cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom and you’re set.
- Why do I gotta wait for natural release? It stops the potatoes from breaking down too much. Quick release can make mushy mess.
- Can I prep this ahead of time? Yup, mix it up then keep in fridge till ready to cook. Just add topping right before baking.
- What’s the best way to crush corn flakes? Put them in a zip bag and gently pulsing with your hand or rolling pin. No crusher needed.
- Why use the sealing ring in the cooker? It keeps all the steam locked tight for that great tender pull and stops leaks while cooking.

Funeral Potatoes: Pressure Cooker Comfort Made Easy
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl Large
- 1 9x13 baking dish greased
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 32 oz Frozen diced hash browns or shredded potatoes
- 2 cups Sour cream full-fat preferred
- 10.5 oz Cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom or celery as alternative
- ¾ cup Unsalted butter melted, divided
- 2 cups Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder optional
- 2-3 cups Corn flakes crushed
- ¼ cup Extra butter melted, for topping
- Black pepper optional
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F after pressure cooker phase for topping crisp.
- In large bowl, mix sour cream, cream of chicken soup, ½ cup melted butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and onion powder until creamy.
- Add thawed frozen diced hash browns and stir until evenly combined.
- Spread mixture into greased 9x13 baking dish in even layer.
- Crush corn flakes and combine with remaining ¼ cup melted butter until coated.
- Sprinkle buttery corn flakes evenly over casserole top.
- Bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes until top is golden and bubbly.
- Let cool for few minutes before serving for best flavor and texture.



