Shipwreck Casserole

Here’s a blast from the past: Shipwreck Casserole. This family favorite has been around forever, and there are so many variations to this recipe. It’s cheap, easy, and filling, making it the perfect meal for families. Here’s my version of this vintage recipe, with a few tweaks to amp up the flavor a bit.

The more I did into culinary history and vintage recipes, the more it becomes clear that we weren’t big on flavor back in the first half of the 1900s. Recipes were more about affordable and accessible ingredients, and less on layers of flavor. 

Take this Shipwreck Casserole for example. Many original recipes call for no onion, no garlic, no extra flavor. Just a few ingredients in a dish, baked in the oven. 

Well, we can do a little better than that without detracting from the simplicity of the original recipe. With a few tweaks, you can make this classic American dish for your own family, just as they did 100 years ago.

History

Shipwreck casserole first began gaining popularity during the Great Depression in the 1930s. This period required families to be resourceful with their ingredients, and the casserole’s simple, hearty combination of ground beef, potatoes, onions, and canned tomatoes made it an economical and filling meal. 

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Large onion – Sliced.
• Potatoes – Peeled and sliced.
• Canned crushed tomatoes – Or diced tomatoes, undrained.
• Long grain rice
• Garlic salt
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Celery seed – Or salt.
• Kosher salt

How To Make Shipwreck Casserole

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and spray the bottom of a 2-3 quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Layer the sliced onion into the bottom of the casserole dish.
3. Add the potatoes to the casserole dish on top of the onions, then sprinkle liberally with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.
4. Crumble the ground beef and add it on top of the potatoes in an even layer.
5. Sprinkle the rice over the top of the ground beef.
6. Spoon the tomatoes over the top of the ground beef and sprinkle with the garlic salt, onion powder, oregano, and celery seed.
7. Bake at 400°F for about 30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
8. Serve and enjoy.

Step-By-Step Process

Chef Jenn’s Tips

• Use lean ground beef so your dish isn’t greasy. You could also use ground turkey, chicken, or even pork or sausage.
• This is a dairy-free recipe, but you could top it with some shredded cheese if you’d like a bit more flavor.
• You can easily double this recipe to feed a crowd.
• The beauty of this vintage casserole recipe is its simplicity – don’t overcomplicate it with extra flavors or ingredients.

Make It A Meal

Pair this Shipwreck Casserole with a simple green salad and a side of crusty bread for a complete meal. The hearty nature of the casserole is balanced perfectly with the freshness of the salad and the crispness of the bread.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the casserole in individual portions. Just be sure to cool it completely before freezing. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in the oven until warmed through.