Shipwreck Casserole {EASY + HEARTY} Gonna Want Seconds

Shipwreck casserole is an old-time recipe that usually includes potatoes, tomatoes, and ground beef. There are many versions of this casserole published, and I kept this recipe classic with a few delicious updates.

This shipwreck casserole is layered with rice, seasoned beef, potatoes, bacon, tomatoes, all covered with a beefed-up tomato soup broth and topped with bubbling cheese. My son-in-law says this is his favorite and gets a little possessive over the leftovers! It makes me so happy.

Can you ever have enough ground beef casseroles? I think not!! I hope you’ll try our unstuffed pepper skillet, hamburger rice casserole, cabbage roll casserole, cowboy casserole next!

SHIPWRECK CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS

Vegetable Oil: Any kind such as canola, sunflower, avocado, grapeseed. Olive oil is not recommended because of its low smoke point.
Beef: 20% fat is preferred because this ratio has enough fat to be tasty and the beef is not too dry. We drain the fat, so no worries.
Cajun Seasoning: This seasoning can be found at most grocery stores and is a smoky, spicy, and zesty combination of spices.
Italian Seasoning: You can purchase already mixed or make it yourself! If you already have these items in your pantry, here are the proportions: 1 ½ t. Oregano, 1 t. Thyme, ½ t. Basil, ½ t. Rosemary, ½ t dried Sage, and 1 t. Marjoram.
Bacon: any brand will do.
Onion: Yellow or sweet onion.
Garlic: Fresh is recommended for this recipe, although you can use granulated in a pinch.
White Rice: Long grain will give you the right texture.
Diced Tomatoes: Canned petite diced tomatoes, any brand.
Potatoes: Russet will give you just the right starch and texture.
Butter: Unsalted
Tomato Soup: I use Campbell’s brand.
Better Than Bouillon: If you don’t have this, run, don’t walk to the grocery store and buy it. This little jar adds so much to so many savory dishes.
Mozzarella Cheese: I prefer mozzarella, but cheddar, jack, or pepper jack are just fine.

TIPS

Cool It! To prevent browning, I place the peeled potatoes in a large bowl with cold water. As I slice each potato, I put them back in the water until I assemble the casserole.
Melt It: Don’t skip the step about heating the water and melting the Better Than Bouillon in it. This little step will ensure that the lovely beef broth will be evenly distributed.
Variations: Add corn, canned or frozen, and add taco spices to the meat and omit the bacon and Italian seasonings. Use cheddar cheese in this case for a nice Mexican-based flavor. Add a frozen peas and carrots layer for more veggies.
Different Potatoes: Instead of fresh potatoes, use frozen hash browns (1 30-ounce package). Directly substitute and layer the hash browns instead. Use 2/3 of the hashbrowns in the first layer, then top the casserole with the remaining hash browns, season with salt and pepper. Bake and cover with cheese as directed.

STORING + FREEZING + MAKE-AHEAD

How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Once cooked and cooled, your shipwreck casserole with potatoes and rice will last up to four days in the fridge. But be sure you store your leftovers in airtight containers! This dish warms up well in the microwave oven.
Can You Freeze This? Yes! The best way to freeze this shipwreck casserole with potatoes is to fully cook it first.
Once cooked, thoroughly cool your casserole wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil. Don’t forget to label and date! Or store it in a freezer-safe container. Then pop it in your freezer, where it’ll be just fine for four to six months! When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge then bake as directed. Or bake is from frozen by adding about 20 minutes to the baking time. Bake as directed.
Make-Ahead: My shipwreck hamburger casserole will warm up just fine. I will say that fresh out of the oven will give you the best result. To make it ahead, assemble it earlier in the day, then bake it later and serve hot.
Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.

SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS

This casserole is wonderful with our KFC coleslaw or pineapple coleslaw, sweet and crunchy carrot salad, spinach strawberry salad, or strawberry salad (Both of these salads are equally delicious and have their own special ingredients and unique homemade dressings. I promise your family will love them BOTH!) broccoli salad, marinated tomato salad, cucumber tomato feta salad, or our simple + yummy 1905 salad.

If you’d prefer a cooked veggie, this casserole is delicious with crack green beans, roasted green beans, or Southern green beans, sautéd asparagus with loads of garlic or roasted garlic asparagus with feta, simple + easy roasted broccoli, Tennessee onions (so amazing!), simple roasted peppers, or Paula Deen corn casserole.

And don’t forget to pass the bread basket! We love this with beer bread, practically no-knead bread, homemade crescent rolls, Bisquick biscuits, butter swim biscuits, cat head biscuits, or our sweet Bo Berry biscuit!

Dessert anyone? Check out all our dump cake recipes! They’re crazy delish and you won’t believe how easy they are to make!!

MORE GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE RECIPES

TRIED THIS RECIPE?

Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐