How to Make ShipWreck Casserole

Our Kraft ShipWreck casserole is a fun dinner idea! With layers of macaroni and cheese and frozen vegetables with cheese, your kids will love this new ground beef casserole. Pure comfort food cheesy and all.

Kraft ShipWreck Dinner

If you have heard of this version, it has kidney beans instead of the Kraft mac and cheese Instant Pot layer we used. I mean both ideas are pretty yummy but if you are going all out I really suggest the way we make it, ’cause it’s the bomb. 😉

Another option is to just boil elbow macaroni in a pot and 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. It won’t be as creamy this way without the cheese sauce but to each their own I say.

ShipWreck Casserole 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 Easy Tomato Bisque Recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
  • how long to cook ground turkey instead for a leaner choice
  • or spicy ground sausage for heat
• Olive oil
• 1 c diced tomatoes with juice, or a can of condensed tomato soup
• Frozen vegetables
• Beef broth
• 1/2 c cheddar cheese
• 1/3 tsp salt and pepper
• 1 box macaroni and cheese prepared according to box instructions, or about 2 cups prepared
  • could substitute with a layer of prepared rice
  • precook 1 cup uncooked rice + 2 cups broth or water in rice cooker or on stove
• 1/3 tsp coriander

Now let’s talk about other things you could add into this dish as another layer, or mixed in with the meat when it is cooked to soften a bit;

What else can you add to a casserole?

1. Chopped bell peppers (red, green, or yellow) can contribute a pop of color and a hint of sweetness to the dish.
2. Sliced or diced zucchini or yellow squash can add moisture and an earthy flavor to the casserole.
3. Sautéed mushrooms can bring a savory and umami-rich element to the dish.
4. Crumbled cooked bacon or cooked sausage can add extra flavor and richness to the casserole.
5. Adding sautéed onions to the layers can infuse the casserole with a sweet and aromatic flavor.
6. A dash of Worcestershire sauce can add a tangy and savory note to the overall flavor.
7. 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.

If you want to use as directed with a layer of mac and cheese, prepare as directed on the box so it is ready once you are set to layer. You will want about 2 cups prepared….or so. 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.

How to Make Old Fashioned ShipWreck Casserole

• Preheat the oven to 360 F.
• Fry the raw ground beef in the oil until browned, stirring occasionally. Or this is How Long to Cook Ground Beef in a bunch of other ways.
• Add the diced tomatoes to the meat and mix, cook for another 5 minutes, covered with a lid.
  • if adding diced thinly sliced potatoes, add now
  • to use larger pieces other than mandoline sized you can boil potatoes quick this way
  • or just layer 1.5 cups of thawed hash browns in a bag
• Add frozen vegetables and broth to the pan with seasonings, stir, and cook for 5 minutes.
• Place macaroni and cheese in the bottom layer of your casserole dish.
• Lay meat with vegetables on top and level out so it is even all the way across.

Bake for 20 minutes. Then sprinkle top of baking dish contents with cheese and bake for another 10 minutes.

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.

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.

How to make a 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.