Shipwreck Casserole

Introduction

Shipwreck Casserole is a vintage comfort food classic that layers everyday pantry staples into a savory, filling, and deeply satisfying dinner. With its hearty combination of ground beef, vegetables, and potatoes all baked together in a rich tomato sauce, this casserole delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Crowd pleasing and easily adaptable, it’s the ideal recipe for busy weeknights and family gatherings—sure to become a regular feature in your meal plan.

What Makes Shipwreck Casserole So Special?

The appeal of Shipwreck Casserole lies in its simplicity and remarkable flavor. Each layer—the seasoned beef, tender potatoes, and melty cheese—absorbs the tangy tomato sauce and melds together seamlessly during baking. The result is a budget-friendly, “all-in-one” dinner that’s satisfying, easy to prepare, and loved by kids and adults alike.

Layering the Flavors for the Perfect Casserole

Start by browning the ground beef with fragrant onions and garlic for a savory base. Then, build layers with sliced potatoes, canned vegetables or beans, and pour over tomato soup or diced tomatoes mixed with seasonings. Everything bakes together to create a unified, deeply flavorful dish with minimal hands-on time.

Classic Shipwreck Casserole Assembly

Once your ingredients are prepped and your oven is heated, simply assemble the layers in a casserole dish. Begin with potatoes, then the seasoned meat and onions, followed by beans, veggies, and sauce. Add cheese if you like. Bake until piping hot and bubbly—the potatoes will be fork-tender and the top golden brown.

Serving Suggestions for Shipwreck Casserole

Serve Shipwreck Casserole with a crisp green salad and a hunk of crusty bread for a complete, fuss-free meal. Leftovers reheat beautifully, making it a great option for packed lunches or another quick dinner later in the week.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 6 generous portions. Each serving contains about 400–500 calories, depending on your choice of cheese and other add-ins. It packs protein, fiber, and plenty of comforting carbs—an energizing, hearty meal perfect for hungry families.

Shipwreck Casserole (Recap)

Budget friendly, loaded with flavor, and infinitely customizable, Shipwreck Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that brings everyone together at the dinner table.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to auto-generate an organized shopping list with all essentials sorted by store section—making your grocery trip and meal planning quick and organized!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray or a little olive oil.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic until no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Layer half of the thinly sliced potatoes in the bottom of the casserole dish. Top with half the cooked beef mixture.
4. Layer half the beans and carrots (or mixed vegetables) over the meat, then pour on half the tomato soup (or diced tomatoes). Repeat the layers: potatoes, beef, beans/veggies, and remaining soup/tomatoes.
5. Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
6. Uncover, top with shredded cheddar cheese (if using), and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving to help the layers set. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Shipwreck Casserole is perfect for weekly meal prep and planning. Save and schedule this recipe to always keep track of shopping needs and prep days, with smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients from all your planned dinners.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient amounts across every planned recipe
– Organizes shopping lists by grocery store aisle for one efficient trip
– Ensures you never double-buy or miss an ingredient
– Makes batch cooking and leftover management a snap

Pro tip: Schedule this and other family favorites in your weekly plan to see which staples overlap, saving you time and money while reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 75 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes