Shipwreck Casserole

This shipwreck casserole recipe is one of my favorite easy cheap meals because it uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients to create the ideal comfort food family dinner. It’s like a hearty homemade chili layered with tender potatoes and smoky bacon, then finished with a golden topping of crunchy cornflakes and gooey melted cheese. Every bite is savory, cheesy, and satisfying. Trust me, everyone will absolutely love this delicious casserole, and you'll love how easy it is to make!

Why I Love This Shipwreck Casserole

This shipwreck casserole recipe has a little bit of everything, and it will quickly become one of your go-to comfort food recipes. Imagine a hearty homemade chili layered with tender potatoes, smoky bacon, and then finished with a golden topping of crunchy cornflakes and gooey melted cheese. That's exactly what this is—it's the kind of dish that takes a classic weeknight casserole and makes it feel extra special.

What I love most is how it covers all the bases, so it’s a complete meal in one pan. The hearty ground beef filling is rich and savory, the potatoes soak up all the flavor as they bake, and the cheese pulls everything together to make one of my favorite ground beef casserole recipes. 

It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, whether you’re serving it to family or bringing it to a potluck. Pair it with warm garlic bread to scoop up the filling, or go all in with a side of Amish potato salad to complete an Amish shipwreck casserole recipe.

Why This Shipwreck Casserole Recipe Works

• It's truly easy to prepare. All you have to do to make this casserole is cook the ground beef and layer all of the ingredients in the casserole dish. It's really that simple, and this recipe is foolproof. Even if it's your first time making a ground beef casserole, you'll have no trouble having this recipe turn out. 
• It's an instant family favorite. This shipwreck casserole is my family's favorite comfort food meal. We make it all the time, and it's also been a hit whenever I've served it at a dinner party. It's especially delicious during football season if you're hosting guests!
• It has a winning combination. There are a lot of different parts to this shipwreck casserole—from the savory ground beef chili filling to the tender-crisp potatoes and ooey-gooey cheese—everything goes together so well to create one of the best ground beef casserole recipes I've made!

Ingredients

This shipwreck casserole is made with really common ingredients. You probably have the majority of them in your pantry!

Here's what you need to make shipwreck casserole:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• ¼ tsp. dried oregano
• ¼ tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. paprika powder
• salt and pepper
• 4 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced
• 2 cups kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 4 cups condensed tomato soup or crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup crushed Corn Flakes

If you have some extra Corn Flakes, you can put them to good use and make this rotisserie chicken casserole next!

Oh, and if you're looking for more Amish casserole recipes, you have to try this Amish hamburger casserole, Amish chicken casserole, and Amish country casserole next.

How To Make Shipwreck Casserole

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish or something similar in size with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook the Beef

In a non-stick skillet, heat a bit of oil over medium-high heat. Add the raw ground beef, diced onion, and garlic to the hot skillet. Cook the beef, stirring frequently, until it's browned on all sides. Add the chili powder, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, and mix everything together.

Step 3: Build the Casserole

First, add a layer of sliced potatoes to the prepared casserole dish. Top it with half of the cooked ground beef, kidney beans, cooked bacon, and tomato soup or crushed tomatoes. Repeat the same layers starting with the sliced potatoes. 

Step 4: Bake and Serve

Finish the casserole with more sliced potatoes and bake it for 1 hour or until potatoes are golden and fork-tender. Top the cooked potatoes with the crushed Corn Flakes and shredded cheese. Bake for 10 more minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm, and enjoy!

Expert Tips To Make The Best Shipwreck Casserole

• Layer the potatoes correctly. The potato slices can overlap slightly, but avoid stacking them directly on top of each other. Keeping them spread out ensures even cooking and prevents undercooked spots.
• Use a mandoline slicer. A mandoline makes it quick and easy to slice the potatoes thinly and evenly, which helps them cook through at the same rate and gives the casserole a consistent texture.
• Save time with canned chili. If you’re short on time, substitute canned chili for the homemade beef mixture. It cuts down prep while still giving you a rich, flavorful base.
• Make it even heartier with rice. Add a layer of long-grain rice or instant rice beneath the potatoes to bulk up the casserole. The rice absorbs the juices as it bakes, making the dish even more filling.
• Finish with different toppings. This hearty comfort food casserole tastes even better with your favorite toppings. Try sour cream, extra shredded cheese, chopped green onions, or a dash of hot sauce to customize each serving.

How To Store Shipwreck Casserole

• In the fridge: Store the leftover shipwreck casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• In the freezer: Transfer the casserole to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Put the casserole back in a baking dish and warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until it reaches your desired temperature. Let the frozen casserole thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Shipwreck Casserole FAQs

Why is it called Shipwreck Casserole?

The name “shipwreck casserole” comes from the way it looks when served—it’s a bit messy and jumbled, like a shipwreck. The layers of meat, potatoes, beans, and toppings all bake together into a hearty, comforting dish that’s less about presentation and more about flavor.

Can I make Shipwreck Casserole ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then bake as directed. This makes it a great option for an easy cheap meal during the week or even entertaining.

What sides go best with Shipwreck Casserole?

This hearty casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs well with garlic bread, a simple green salad, or homemade coleslaw. For a true homestyle dinner, serve it alongside potato salad or roasted vegetables, like my frozen roasted broccoli.

Can I substitute the meat in Shipwreck Casserole?

Yes. Ground beef is traditional, but ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles work well. Using canned chili is another budget-friendly shortcut that makes this casserole even easier.

Casserole Recipes To Try Next

• Baked bean casserole
• Big mac casserole
• Taco potato casserole
• Pepperoni pizza casserole
• Hamburger noodle casserole
• Hamburger hashbrown casserole
• Brenda Gantt cabbage casserole