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    Home » Amish Recipes

    Amish Shipwreck Casserole Recipe (7-Layer Dinner)

    04/12/2022 by Anna 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Seven Layer Dinner

    Amish shipwreck casserole is a complete dinner in one dish. It's an old-fashioned frugal recipe that comes together very quickly and easily.

    This seven-layer dinner recipe is a go-to for busy days when you don't have much time to cook. Just layer a bunch of ingredients into a casserole dish and pop it into the oven.

    Amish-shipwreck-dinner-in-a-casserole

    It's a simple make-ahead dinner that's hearty, flavorful, and kid-friendly.

    It takes about two hours to bake, but while it's baking, you're free to get other jobs done. And when you come back to the kitchen two hours later, dinner is ready.

    Why Is It Called Shipwreck Casserole?

    I don't know where this 7-layer dinner got its interesting name from?

    Some say the name may have come from sailors throwing together whatever ingredients they had left to create a meal.

    Others say the name could come from the fact that when you spoon this dish onto your plate, the layers just sorta fall all over each other, creating the idea of a shipwreck.

    But even though the name is interesting and your plate may look disastrous, this dump-style casserole is delicious.

    Amish Dinner

    I grew up on an Amish farm in a family of ten kids, so you can guess that my mom was always busy (Here I shared what a day in her life may have looked like).

    She cooked three meals a day, so of course, she spent lots of time in the kitchen. But she also had many other things to attend to, especially on days when she was busy gardening, canning, etc.

    So, on especially busy days, she tried to find quick and easy meals to make. And this Amish Shipwreck Casserole was one of her go-to's.

    Ground beef, potatoes, kidney beans, rice, and vegetables all layered in one casserole dish (affiliate link) make a complete meal that is hearty and filling. And we all enjoyed it. Although, a couple of my brothers picked out the kidney beans. 🙂

    And if you don't like one of the items that are layered in this dish, feel free to omit and adjust the ingredients.

    carrots-potatoes-onion-rice-ground beef-beans-tomatoes-

    Amish Six Layer Casserole

    I have a recipe in one of my Amish cookbooks that's very similar to this shipwreck casserole. But it's called a six-layer supper, and it does not include kidney beans.

    And the nice thing about this old-fashioned dinner recipe is that it is versatile. You can add extra layers of vegetables, or leave out any ingredients that your kids won't eat. Add extra spices, etc.

    And you can use tomato soup, tomato juice, or canned tomatoes.

    If you need a vegetarian Shipwreck recipe, omit the ground beef. The beans can serve as your source of protein.

    Or you could also turn this dish into an eight or nine-layer casserole. I think that shredded cheese on the top would be a nice addition. Although, I would wait to put it on until it's almost finished baking.

    So get creative in the kitchen and have fun making a dish that your family will love!

    sliced potatoes
    layered-potatoes-onions-and-carrots
    layered-casserole

    What Could I Serve with Shipwreck Casserole?

    This layered ground beef casserole can easily be a complete meal on its own. But sometimes it's nice to have a side or two to serve with a casserole dish.

    My mom often served applesauce and homemade bread, or a side lettuce salad, with casserole dishes.

    This Amish seven-layer salad or broccoli and cauliflower salad would also be great sides to serve with Shipwreck casserole.

    shipwreck casserole in a dish and a bun with butter and jam

    If you Enjoy this Amish Shipwreck Recipe, Perhaps you'd like to try More Amish Dinner Recipes...

    Yumasetti - Amish Noodle Casserole Recipe

    Amish Haystacks Recipe

    Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

    7-layer-dinner

    Amish Shipwreck Casserole Recipe (7-Layer Dinner)

    Amish shipwreck casserole is a quick and easy one-dish dinner. It's a delicious, vintage recipe!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Amish
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 283 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 -4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
    • 3-4 medium carrots, thinly sliced
    • 1 small sweet or red onion, thinly sliced
    • 1 lb. ground beef, browned, drained, and seasoned
    • 1/2 c. rice kernels, uncooked (white or basmati)
    • 1 (15 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
    • 1 tsp. salt
    • 1 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
    • 1/2 tsp. paprika
    • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
    • 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
    • 1 c. tomato juice, tomato soup, or water

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°.
    • Butter a large casserole dish or 9x13" pan.
    • Cook the ground beef, drain, and season with a teaspoon of seasoned salt (or regular salt) and 1/2 tsp. black pepper.
    • Thinly slice the potatoes, carrots, and onions.
    • Layer all of the ingredients into the dish in the order given.
      3 -4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced, 3-4 medium carrots, thinly sliced, 1 small sweet or red onion, thinly sliced, 1 lb. ground beef, browned, drained, and seasoned, 1/2 c. rice kernels, uncooked (white or basmati), 1 (15 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp. paprika, 1/2 tsp. black pepper, 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, 1 c. tomato juice, tomato soup, or water
    • Cover and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Serve.
    • Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 5 days.

    Notes

    This recipe is very versatile. Add or subtract any ingredients that you want. Some recipes include chopped celery or omit kidney beans. You can add your favorite seasonings. Use tomato soup instead of petite tomatoes, etc.
    And in reality, I don't think it makes much difference if you layer the ingredients in a different order either. Although you'll want to pour the juice/water over the top.
    Refrigerate and reheat any leftovers.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 283kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 15gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 303mgPotassium: 814mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3979IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword 7-Layer Dinner, Amish Shipwreck Casserole Recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Amish Recipes

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    Feel free to share!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Theresa

      January 13, 2023 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      We loved the 7-Layer Dinner, Amish Shipwreck Casserole, very tasty. I made it in a Crock Pot. Next time I will add more juice.

      Reply
      • Anna

        January 13, 2023 at 6:38 pm

        Thank you for leaving a comment.

        Reply

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    Hi, I’m Anna. I grew up Amish in the Lancaster County, Pa. area (the heart of Amish country). I currently live in a small rural town in Missouri and am a homeschool mom to 4 great kids. Some of my favorite things to do are spending time in the kitchen, (baking and preparing meals from scratch), gardening, and spending time with my lovely family.

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