ShipWreck Casserole

Kraft ShipWreck casserole with macaroni and cheese and ground beef is a fun dinner idea! You can add frozen vegetables and even more cheese so your kids will love and ask for this ground beef casserole again and again.

There are lots of different versions of this fun meal out there which is great so you can tweak away once you get the basic hang of how it is baked in the oven. Choose your favorite meat, pasta, veggies and with a bit of tomatoes you can bake and layer with cheddar cheese.

Why is it called shipwreck casserole?

The dish’s origins are unclear, but its name reflects its rustic and resourceful nature. The dish is typically made by layering a variety of common, pantry-friendly ingredients (like ground beef, potatoes, canned vegetables, tomato sauce, and rice) that might feel like “found” or “leftover” items. Similar to what survivors of a shipwreck might scavenge.

Some like to use kidney beans instead of the Kraft mac and cheese Instant Pot layer we used here. You could use spicy ground sausage, or ground turkey for a lower fat option. I mean anything goes but it is layered and then baked with a layer of cheese on top!

Another option is to use about 2 cups of al dente noodles on the bottom. That way the dish will turn out more like our Jiffy cowboy casserole in a way with more of a chili mac flavor throughout the dish.

Ingredient Notes

Start with a pound of ground beef, ground turkey or this is how long to cook ground turkey instead for a leaner choice. I mean the choices are endless as far as this goes though. This meal is all about using up leftovers so you could easily make hot dog casserole if that is what you have on hand to use up.

Olive oil is used to brown the meat in a pan on the stove to begin with. You will want to cook it and drain before you start to layer in your casserole dish.

I add a can of diced tomatoes with juice, or a can of condensed tomato soup works too but won’t add any texture with this.

Since I love to add as many veggies I can with any dish I serve to my kids I use some frozen vegetables in this case to make things easier. That way you get some diced up carrots, corn and peas all at the same time.

Beef broth is for the liquid and has a lot more flavor than just using water.

You will want some shredded cheddar cheese to melt on the top to make it all ooey gooey but any flavor will work. Dairy free alternatives work but don’t melt as well.

Prepare macaroni and cheese according to box instructions, or about 2 cups prepared. You could substitute with a layer of prepared rice – precook 1 cup uncooked rice + 2 cups broth or water in rice cooker or on stove

with Tomato Soup

Like I said there are a lot of substitutions you can make to this. We like diced tomatoes so there is a bit more texture to the dish. If you wanted it to be smooth as far as that goes just use a can of Campbells or our homemade Tomato Bisque Recipe.

This is a layered casserole with ground meat so all the items in there need to be cooked beforehand. The baking step is just to warm and melt cheese. With the name and all this would be a fun addition to a Pirate lover for their birthday! Do all the things with that theme for their special day. Ask what their favorite things to eat are and surely you can figure out how to incorporate at least one of them into this dish.

How to make this casserole spicy

Incorporate spicy peppers to your casserole. Just remove the seeds and ribs for milder heat, or leave them in for more intensity. Roast jalapeños and add them to the casserole layers. You can choose to just sprinkle red pepper flakes between layers for a controlled spiciness. Or add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the meat mixture.

Other Ground Beef Casserole Recipes You’ll Love

This and our Big Mac Casserole are always a win for dinner. If you wanted to make this in a slow cooker you could do that instead. Just prep as stated, pour into your Crock and cook on high for the same timing. When cheese is melted switch it to keep warm setting and serve.

Incorporate spicy seasonings and spices to your casserole mix. Some options include. A little goes a long way. Sprinkle it into the sauce or seasoning mix for an even distribution of heat. Chipotle powder brings a smoky and spicy flavor to your dish. Like I said you can use spicy sausage for an extra kick instead of beef.

What else can you add?

Chopped bell peppers (red, green, or yellow) can contribute a pop of color and a hint of sweetness to the dish. Sliced or diced zucchini or yellow squash can add moisture and an earthy flavor to the casserole. Sautéed mushrooms can bring a savory and umami-rich element to the dish.

Crumbled cooked bacon or cooked sausage can add extra flavor and richness to the casserole. Adding sautéed onions to the layers can infuse the casserole with a sweet and aromatic flavor.

A dash of Worcestershire sauce can add a tangy and savory note to the overall flavor. Air fryer roasted garlic can add a delightful aromatic quality to the casserole.

Remember to always layer the ingredients appropriately and if adding slices of russet potatoes they need to be fully cooked. Frozen hashbrowns would be fine as a thin layer though as is and would bake well.