Shipwreck Casserole is an old-fashioned recipe that sticks to your bones. It’s loaded with lots of goodness like ground beef, rice and veggies. It’s the kind of food your grandmother would make. My grandma loved her meat and potatoes so Shipwreck Casserole would have been right up her alley.
Shipwreck Casserole
The recipe is something to be desired, in my opinion. Shipwrecks have a negative connotation, but this recipe is anything but bad. I’m not really sure why it’s called Shipwreck Casserole. Maybe because it’s such a mishmash of ingredients that are thrown together a bit like a shipwreck would be? If you know, leave me a comment. I’d love to learn the origin of the name!
A friend of mine came over to help make this recipe. She makes Shipwreck Casserole all the time and uses whatever veggies she has leftover in the fridge. She said her family loves it and that it tastes even better the next day.
Sign up for our newsletter & get a free e-cookbook.
How to Make Shipwreck Casserole
This recipe is a layered casserole. All the ingredients are uncooked which makes it really simple to prepare. Yes, even the ground beef goes in uncooked. It will cook in the oven along with the rest of the ingredients.
I used a 9×13 casserole dish – the biggest one I own. Start by layering the onions, potatoes and raw ground beef. It seemed weird to be adding raw ground beef since most recipes have you cook it ahead of time, but my friend said that is how she always does it.
Sprinkle the uncooked rice over the ground beef. Do not use Instant rice here.
Then, top with the celery and carrots. You can season it at the end or do it as you add the layers – up to you.
The sauce is simply a can of tomato soup and a can of water. Easy. Pour the sauce evenly over the ingredients. It will flavour the entire casserole as it bakes.
It bakes for an hour and a half which seems like a long time, but trust me, it needs it. If you bring it out to early, the veggies and rice will be crunchy.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
This post contains affiliate links.
What to Serve with Shipwreck Casserole
Shipwreck Casserole is a meal on its own so it doesn’t really need a side dish. If you wanted to have one, you could add a simple tossed salad. I find it hearty and filling enough though!
You could top it with some sour cream if you like. Sour cream goes with just about everything.
For more down home cooking recipes, try my Mom’s Macaroni, Pierogi Casserole, Texas Beef Skillet, Chicken Fried Rice, Beef Noodle Bake, Cheesy Hamburger Supper and Cabbage Roll Casserole.
You might also like this Carrot Casserole and Sweet and Sour Carrots.
Have you tried Shipwreck Casserole before?
Shipwreck Casserole
The kind of meal grandma used to make! This layered casserole is stick to your bones delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 1 lb lean ground beef, uncooked
- 1/2 cup long grain rice, uncooked
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 (10.5oz/284ml) can tomato soup
- 1 can water (use tomato soup can)
- Dried parsley, for garnish, optional
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a 9x13 casserole dish, layer onions, potatoes and ground beef. Sprinkle rice over ground beef. Top with celery and carrots. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, stir together tomato soup and water. Pour evenly into casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
I used Russet potatoes.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 bowlAmount Per Serving: Calories: 161Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.9gTrans Fat: 0.1gUnsaturated Fat: 0.9gCholesterol: 33.9mgSodium: 202.4mgCarbohydrates: 20.7gFiber: 2.6gSugar: 5.2gProtein: 14.5g
Dianna says
My recipe calls for macaroni or rice; no carrots or celery. I always cook the hamburg before putting it in the bottom of the casserole. One of the casseroles both my kids really liked.
Danna says
This looks super delicious! I am definitely going to make it. Thank you for the recipe.
Mother of 3 says
That sounds so easy and looks delicious! Pinned.
Michelle Leslie says
What an awesome name for a casserole. I bet if I told the hubby that we were going to have some, he would be in the kitchen in a flash to see how it’s done :D. It sounds simply delicious Stacie. Pinned to try later this week
Miz Helen says
Your Shipwreck Casserole looks great! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Lisa L says
I agree with your theory on the name origin! Makes sense to me. I think this looks like such a hearty and filling dinner idea!
Sue says
Looks like a nice healthy dinner. I’m going to make it this week for a birthday party dinner. It’s going to be a hit !
Jessica says
Does this recipe freeze well, if making a few casseroles ahead?
Stacie says
Yes, you can freeze it too!
Lorraine says
FYI, I made this with short-grain brown rice and the rice is a little chewy and there is more liquid than there should be. I used to make this casserole years ago but back then I was always using white rice. Lesson learned!
April Blonski says
I come from a large family and this was a regular staple in my home growing up.