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Want to know why it’s called a Shipwreck Casserole? It’s made from a whole bunch of ingredients mixed to create a somewhat messy-looking casserole reminiscent of a messy shipwreck—hence the name.
Why I Think You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s delicious and an exceptional comfort food – mixing simple ingredients into something easy for dinner.
- You can cook it in the oven within 2 hours or in the slow cooker if you want it to cook slowly while you are at work or school and be ready for dinner.
How to Make Shipwreck Casserole
This was one of the hardest meals I have had to make look appetizing for you guys, and I’m not even sure I succeeded.
If you have had shipwreck casserole as a kid, you will know how delicious it is, and I don’t have to make it look pretty for you. It comprises layers of onions, potatoes, ground beef, and rice. You then pour your favorite tomato soup over the top of it. It turns out absolutely delicious, and it’s so easy!
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven.
- Combine ingredients in a well-greased casserole dish.
- Pour soup over the ingredients, cover it with tin foil, and bake for about 2 hours.
Slow Cooker Method
- Combine ingredients in a well-greased slow cooker.
- Pour soup over the ingredients, then cover with tin foil and the slow cooker lid.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Karlynn’s Tips
If you have a slow cooker that you know leaks heat and moisture (mine does not), your rice will not cook properly.
I recommend placing a piece of tinfoil between the lid and the pot to help seal the pot and keep all the moisture in while cooking the rice.
Variations
Some people enjoy this with cheese on top of the mixture, giving it a richer taste. Feel free to experiment and share your concoctions in the comments below!
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. Let me know by rating it and leaving a comment below!
Love,
Karlynn
Shipwreck Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 white onions sliced
- 4 medium potatoes sliced
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef uncooked
- 1/2 – 3/4 tsp seasoning salt
- 1/2 cup white rice uncooked
- 2 cups of carrots sliced
- one 10 ounces can of condensed tomato soup ( I use roasted red pepper for extra flavour! Use your favourite soup!)
- 1 1/2 cups of water
Instructions
- This can be done in a casserole dish in the oven or in the slow cooker. For the crockpot, your vegetables can be sliced THICKER if you are going to cook all day!
Oven instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F.
- Place onions in the bottom of a well greased 9×13 baking dish. Add the potatoes, then the carrots.
- Mix the seasoning salt into the ground beef then spread the beef over top of the vegetables then sprinkle with rice.
- Mix together the tomato soup and the water then pour over top.
- Cover with tin foil.
- Cook for two hours, until the vegetables are soft and the rice has cooked.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Place onions in the bottom of a well greased slow cooker. Add the potatoes, then the carrots.
- Mix the seasoning salt into the ground beef then spread the beef over top of the vegetables then sprinkle with rice.
- Mix together the tomato soup and the water then pour over top.
- Cover with tin foil. ( this is the best way to seal your crockpot) and place the crockpot lid on top.
- Cook on low 6-8 hours until the vegetables are soft and the rice has cooked.
Video
Notes
- Use your favourite tomato soup to make this recipe even more delicious! I use a roasted red pepper tomato soup to boost the flavour!
- If you have trouble cooking the rice, put the rice UNDER the ground beef to cook.
Nutrition
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Christina Spencer says
This was very good. I was a nervous to use tomato soup in a casserole, but I’m happy we tried it! Will definitely make again. I made a couple small changes. I used an entire 32 oz box of Pacific Foods Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup (did not add water), only one onion (didn’t have two on hand) and two lbs of ground moose. Cooked in a Dutch oven. Delicious. Thanks for the great recipe!
Louise says
I have not tried this yet but i am going to. If it doesn’t turn out the right way first don’t fret try again and add some of your own seasonings and different things you like. Don’t complain and be rude these people are just trying to give us some new ideas and I think they are doing a great job
,
Wendy says
My kids were grown by the time I heard of this recipe, so it isn’t something I’ve ever eaten. But, I just can’t imagine having two starches in the same dish. I’d rather either just have potatoes or just have rice. I might try it that way, maybe with green beans or baby limas added. I think it looks great, but sounds too heavy.
Amie Splattstoesser says
This was a hit in our house. I didnt have q can of tomato soup so I used a can of petite diced tomatos and a little tomato paste. It was amazing!!
Tammy says
My shipwreck casserole it’s different cook my ground beef then I add one can of each tomato soup and cream of celery soup than spread it in the bottom of my baking dish and put a layer of onions than 1 can of each kidney beans carrote corn and pea than sliced potatoes on the top and bake till the potatoes are just about done then I throw a little bit of cheese on the top and bake another 10 min
Glennyce Johnson says
We grew up on shipwreck, 9 in the family & quite often cousins ( about 20). It was an affordable way to feed a large family. This goes back to the 1950’s. We all still make it today. I use a Dutch oven bc the lid fits tight. Also I do 2 layers of everything & finish with the rice on top ( don’t use minute rice) & 2 cans of Campbell’s Soup with 1 can water. 350° for 2 hrs. It was also served with a side of coleslaw & fresh bun. My mom didn’t put carrots in it. Some have commented about it being greasy; A bit of fat gives it flavor but I mix 80% x-lean 20% reg.
Ward says
Made this last night in the slow cooker. Did not change anything in the recipe. It was flavorless. It had no taste at all. I plan on trying to save it tonight by adding some rotel tomato sauce and cheese and hope it will have some taste.
djghettoredneck says
Sounds good. How to cook this in my Instapot?
Olive mayton says
What size crockpot do u use?
Karen Joy says
Oh interesting!I make an almost exact recipe from our old Mennonite(I’m not mennonite,just life in an area with them)cook book called seven layer casserole.The only difference is the rice is over the carrot layer and then is a can of peas topped with a layer of sausage,I use pork breakfast sausage.IVe heard some use ground beef but I’ve been afraid to try it thinking it may be greasy.ill give it a go now see what I think.
Robert Zittle says
Is it one or two hours? In the recipe it says two but only one hour in the cook time summary.
George Shank says
I’ve always thought of recipes as guides not laws.
It never hurts to add a little bit of your own ideas and taste to the mix.
Linda says
Just wondering if it’s greasy since you don’t pre-cook and drain the meat? Also it seems like 2 hours wouldn’t be enough cooking time. Really want to try this recipe! Thanks!
Carole says
I always make a new recipe exactly as written the first time, which is what I did here. I followed the directions to the letter, and I still ended up with some raw rice. I wondered why the rice was placed on top instead of on the bottom, but I gave the creator the benefit of the doubt. However, next time, I’m layering in this order: onions, rice, carrots, potatoes, beef. I will also add the salt to the soup/water so it will mix better. I think it will turn out better that way.
Dave Stone says
My Mother made this for us about 40 + years ago. Thank you for the recipe allowing me to enjoy and relive those memories. It was delish! She also added kernel corn and celery from time to time. Always a little different but always good! Slow cooker used for 6 hours and it was perfect.
Teresa Dean says
I read 1 hr so planned dinner around that ,then get into recipe 6 to 8 he in slow cooker, 2 in oven
Pat Meierhenry says
well, our family has made Shipwreck with pork & beans for years, no rice, and we all love it!! not saying we would not like this, but had to defend Calee’s dad!!! I fed it to my cousin/hired hand & he called for the recipe after he was married, & his mom claimed he did not do casseroles!!
Carol Dirosa says
What a great website. I want to cook them all.
KORi says
So I made this tonight….and I’m sorry but it’s not good. It’s so bland and flavourless. I looked at the recipe again because I though maybe I missed something and I didn’t. My husband ended adding a bunch of stuff just so it was edible
Kristen Roberds says
Hi
I think this recipe needs something else too. So I added a can of Mexican tomatoes, a can of Rotella, a tsp of sugar, 1 tbps chili powder, 1 tbs paprika, 1/4 cup chives” 1 /2 bell pepper, a hillashire link sausage cut up. Forget the tomato soup and use celery or creme of chicken soup and 1 c chicken broth instead of water. Add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. And yes, it will be spicy good but not too much.
I loved this added to the rest of the recipe but I just couldn’t help myself. I just had to spice it up.
Thbank you for the recipes. Turned out great..
Kristen Roberds
Cheryl says
Thats more liquid than the original recipe. Was it runny or just saucier (kind of creamy) that way?
Rhonda Lynch says
It was totally flavorless!!! Yuck! I had to season that right up! And we sprinkled some cheese on top for added taste… THEN it was alright… we’ll keep it as a backup meal not a real favorite for the family…. sorry 🤷🏽
erin sikink says
OhEmGeeee!! i LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe. nothing could be easier than whipping this up before leaving the house for today. as a busy business professional i dont have a lot of time before rushing out the door in the morning. and sometimes when i get home i just dont have the time or energy to get a hot home cooked meal together. it feels like quite a few days of the week i just plop down on the couch with a microwave dinner and a box of wine LOZ!
i made this last night and it was fantastic. i even let my cat eat a little and she loved it, and she NEVER loves sweedz meatz (what i call microwave swedish meatballs), so this meal fed us both hahah <3 <3 <3 this recipe, il be following your site closely! thanks!
Lori Smith says
I have a question. When you say a can of tomato soup, do you mean a can of condensed tomato soup (ex: Campbell’s) or do you mean more like a can of “heat and serve” (ex: Progresso Tomato Basil)?
Karlynn Johnston says
Yes, condensed soup will be the strongest flavor.
Emma says
What if you use fresh tomato soup that is already cooked? Will that work?
Kim says
So excited to try…. so disappointed. It had zero taste and was so greasy. I followed the recipe every step of the way but it turned out horrible.
Susan Taylor says
What kind of white rice to use, minute rice?
Karlynn Johnston says
No, just normal white rice, short, medium or long grain.
Cassie says
Do you add more liquid if cooking with long grain rice?
Krista says
Casseroles are great when you have a busy week but to make it in the slow cooker! Amazing!
Catalina says
This recipe seems to be so easy! I love it!
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
I know what my slow cooker will be making next!
Jacque Hastert says
I have never made this, but seeing how easy it is to make it will be on my list.
Katerina @ diethood .com says
This sounds incredible!! I am loving the flavors!!
Karlynn Johnston says
Thanks!!
Amanda says
Sometimes the best tasting foods don’t look the prettiest, this sounds amazing!
Karlynn Johnston says
Very true!
Jen says
I’ve never even heard of this before but it sounds like a dinner I can’t mess up, lol!
Karlynn Johnston says
It’s SO easy!
Stephanie says
How well do you think this would work with other soups? Like maybe a French onion, or mushroom?
Karlynn Johnston says
It would work amazing with mushroom soup!!!
Lucille Machia says
The recipes all look great. If you have a news letter or website please add me to it. ☺
Calee says
Oh man, I about died laughing when I saw the title of this post! I couldn’t believe anybody would blog about (what I know as “shipwreck”). We had a casserole called “shipwreck” that my dad made all the time when I was a kid. My high school boyfriend still jokes about how many times he ate it and how bad it was. Our recipe used a can of baked beans instead of soup (there was ketchup in there, too), and no rice. I don’t remember vegetables other than the potatoes. It was hella gross! This, on the other hand, looks pretty darn good.
Karlynn Johnston says
LOL! Yes, your version sounds…..um… not that appetizing with the beans. This one is reaaaally good – especially if you top it with cheese at the end!
Calee says
I’m pretty sure my dad saw the original recipe and was like, “um, we don’t have tomato soup, but we do have beans. Close enough.”