This Potatoes O’Brien Breakfast Casserole is the best kind of savory start to the day. Five minutes of prep is all you’ll need.
- What is Potatoes O’Brien?
- Can I use fresh potatoes?
- What are Funeral Potatoes?
- More Crowd-Pleasing Favorites
- Recipe
Ingredients
For speed and convenience I use frozen Potatoes O’Brien and canned cream of chicken soup—pantry staples that make this casserole fast without sacrificing flavor. You can swap cheeses to suit your taste: mozzarella and cheddar are used here, but Monterey Jack, Colby, Colby Jack or Pepper Jack work well if you want some heat.
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This recipe is handy when you find a forgotten bag of frozen potatoes in the freezer—happens to the best of us. If you prefer homemade, you can substitute fresh potatoes (details below).
What is Potatoes O’Brien?
Potatoes O’Brien is a frozen or pan-fried mix of cubed potatoes with diced bell peppers and onions. The frozen version is a convenient shortcut that already has flavor and texture built in.
To make the dish a full meal, I add cubed ham, but cooked bacon, sausage, smoked sausage, kielbasa or leftover ground meat all work. If using raw breakfast sausage, ground meat or bacon, cook and drain it first before combining with the other ingredients.
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Can I use fresh potatoes?
Yes. If you prefer to make Potatoes O’Brien from scratch, use about three medium peeled and cubed potatoes, one medium onion, ½ red bell pepper and ½ green bell pepper. Adjust the baking time so the potatoes become tender but not mushy.
If you need a detailed fresh Potatoes O’Brien method, consult a dedicated recipe for guidelines on sautéing the vegetables and seasoning before assembling the casserole.
What are Funeral Potatoes?
Funeral potatoes are a comforting cheesy potato casserole commonly brought to gatherings after funerals. Ingredients vary by region and family, but they typically combine potatoes, cheese, a creamy binder and sometimes a crunchy topping.
This Potatoes O’Brien casserole isn’t an exact Funeral Potatoes recipe, but it delivers the same comforting, crowd-pleasing flavors: cheesy, creamy potatoes that reheat well and disappear fast at any gathering.
More Crowd-Pleasing Favorites
This casserole is ideal for potlucks, church events and family gatherings. Other recipes I often share include:
- Pork Tamale Casserole
- Ground Beef Baked Spaghetti Casserole
- Cheesy Ranch Potatoes
- Chile Relleno Casserole
Recipe
Equipment
- 9 x 13″ baking dish
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- Cooking spray (like Pam)
- 28 ounces Potatoes O’Brien, still frozen (such as Ore-Ida)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken condensed soup
- 1 cup cubed ham
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup butter (one stick), melted
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spray a 9 x 13″ baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the frozen Potatoes O’Brien, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cubed ham, mozzarella, melted butter and pepper. Mix until evenly combined. (Do not add the cheddar yet.)
- Spread the potato mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
For best slices, allow the casserole to cool 10–15 minutes before serving. Serve with a side salad or seasonal fruit.
Notes
Allowing the casserole to rest before serving makes for neater portions. This dish reheats well and is a good make-ahead option for gatherings.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All amounts are estimates; calculate based on package labeling if you have specific dietary needs. 24Bite®, Kim Guzman and Christian Guzman are not liable for adverse outcomes from using these recipes or recommendations.
© 2019-2026 Kim Guzman and Christian Guzman. All rights reserved.
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