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.
It's a simple make-ahead dinner that's hearty, flavorful, and kid-friendly. It takes about two hours to bake, but you're free to get other jobs done while it's baking. And when you come back to the kitchen two hours later, dinner is ready.
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Why You'll Love This Amish Shipwreck Casserole
- True "dump-and-bake" convenience: So easy to make - just layer everything, bake, and dinner practically makes itself.
- A full meal in one dish: Protein, veggies, potatoes, and rice all cook together for a complete, satisfying dinner.
- Budget-friendly and pantry-ready: Uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.
- Feeds a crowd: Perfect for family dinners, church gatherings, or making ahead for busy nights.
- Comfort food at its best: Tender potatoes, seasoned beef, and tomato-rich sauce come together in nostalgic, old-fashioned flavor.
- Customizable: Swap beans, change seasonings, or adjust veggies to suit your family's taste.
Ingredients
- Potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes form the hearty base and become tender during baking, making a satisfying and comforting dish.
- Carrots: Add natural sweetness, color, and a bit of texture that balances the savory layers.
- Sweet or Red Onion: Brings mild, savory flavor and helps deepen the overall taste of the casserole.
- Ground Beef: Browned and seasoned, it provides richness and protein, making the dish filling and flavorful.
- Rice (Uncooked Kernels): Absorbs the tomato liquid as it bakes, becoming tender and helping thicken the casserole naturally.
- Kidney Beans (Optional): Boost protein and texture while making the casserole even heartier.
- Seasonings (Salt, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Paprika, Black Pepper): A simple blend that adds savory depth, gentle herbs, a touch of warmth, and balanced flavor throughout.
- Petite Diced Tomatoes: Add moisture, acidity, and fresh tomato flavor that ties all the layers together.
- Tomato Juice, Tomato Soup, or Water: Provides the liquid needed for the rice to cook and creates the savory juice that keeps the casserole moist.
These ingredients come together to create a comforting and satisfying casserole dish with layers of flavor and texture.
Why Is It Called Shipwreck Casserole?
I don't know where this 7-layer dinner got its interesting name.?? 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.
Easy 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. 🙂
If you don't like one of the items that are layered in this dish, feel free to omit and adjust the ingredients.
Amish Six-Layer Casserole (Variation)
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.
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!
What Could I Serve With This 7-Layer Dinner 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, a side lettuce salad, or jello salad with casserole dishes.
This Amish seven-layer salad, broccoli and cauliflower salad, or homemade biscuits would be great sides to serve with Shipwreck casserole.
If you enjoy this Amish shipwreck casserole, I would love it if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
📖 Recipe Card
Amish Shipwreck Casserole Recipe (7-Layer Dinner)
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
- ½ 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
- ½ tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 1 (14 ½ 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 ½ 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, ½ 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, ½ tsp. paprika, ½ tsp. black pepper, 1 (14 ½ oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, 1 c. tomato juice, tomato soup, or water
- Cover and bake for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Serve.
- Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 5 days.
Anna
Simple and yummy!
Ashley
Second time making this and it’s super easy and delicious for my entire family, including a toddler. I didn’t add the rice and I used only canned tomatoes not water/soup. It turned out well, and tastes even better the next days.
Anoush!
Anna
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment🙂.
Summer
Hi Anna , this casserole sounds soooo yummy and definitely a lifesaver on every day 💛
What is your favorite Amish cookbook and how would I be able to purchase one as I would without love to !!!
Thanks so much ,
Summer
Anna
I'm not sure that I have one favorite. I have a pile of them and seem to go to each one for a few recipes. lol
I am creating a cookbook with all the recipes on my blog, it should be ready for sale later this summer.
Theresa
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.
Anna
Thank you for leaving a comment.