I wax sentimental whenever I see a recipe for "Shipwreck", especially one like this written in the original Amish Cook's own hand. The Easy 6-Ingredient Amish Shipwreck Casserole is a close cousin of the handwritten version you see below. This Amish shipwreck ground beef casserole recipe is intriguing because it is very popular in Amish kitchens.
❓ What is Shipwreck Casserole?
You see, Amish Shipwreck casserole is a recipe that used to appear in many Amish cookbooks around the middle of the 20th century. By the time Elizabeth Coblentz included this in our cookbook materials the recipe was slipping out of culinary culture and you hardly see it today. This is an early example of a recipe becoming popular in pop culture and then being embraced by Amish cooks. They likely saw this as a hearty meal during lean times.
As far as where this recipe and its name come from? I've seen people say that the recipe's roots are in Newfoundland and legend has it that as a ship was running aground, the sailors grabbed whatever food they could out of the onboard stockpile and made a comforting meal out of it once ashore. That seems a little far-fetched. If your ship is headed for the shoals, seems you are going to worry most about just getting out alive and not what you are going to eat once you get there.
📋 Step-by-Step Shipwreck Casserole
The casserole is not very attractive, but it makes up for its taste and what it lacks in looks...so perhaps, some have speculated that the name comes from the casserole's messy looks. That seems more likely to me. But then I have seen Southern versions that incorporate beans and Tobasco, so, you know, start with this Shipwreck and add on if you want.
So obviously frugal Amish cooks found the recipe and then started "downsizing" it. You can see the original recipe above only has four ingredients. But most Amish shipwreck casserole recipes have six or seven, but if you want to only do four, feel free. If you go the four-ingredient route, what remains is a very skeletal shipwreck, but I guess they figured it was still plenty hearty enough this way to feed a hungry family.
In a large skillet, brown and drain the hamburger before using in the Shipwreck. Use the freshest ground beef you can get your hands on. Lightly salt your burger here if you want. And you can use ground turkey, venison, sausage or any ground meat blend instead of pure hamburger. If you go with just hamburger, use lean ground beef. Brown it over medium-high heat.
Seasonings can be added to the hamburger that will make this dish less bland. Obviously, sailors on the verge of a shipwreck would not have had time to grab the Italian seasoning, but you do. Or the oregano. Or the chili powder. Or the garlic salt!
Use lots of potato slices, slice them or dice them. I like to lightly pepper the potatoes at this stage. You can use russet potatoes, red, or Yukon Gold, it's really up to you.
Again, this Easy 6-Ingredient Amish Shipwreck Casserole won't win any beauty contests, but it tastes great. Some Amish cookbooks pare down the recipe further by eliminating the cheese.
This shipwreck casserole does not incorporate any veggies, so we served them on the side. But you can mix in green beans, peas, carrots, or other vegetables into the Shipwreck casserole recipe. Some versions of shipwreck do include vegetables.
Corn and rice also complement the shipwreck as side serving.
🍲 More Favorite Amish Casseroles
Grandma Graber's Quick and Easy Casserole Classic!
The Bishop's Overnight Casserole The flavors really meld in this one!
The Bishop's Overnight CasseroleThe flavors really meld in this one!
Penny Supper Casserole This one has hot dogs!
🖨️ Full Recipe - Shipwreck Casserole
Amish Hamburger Shipwreck Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound hamburger
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- ¾ soup can milk
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese optional
- 4 potatoes, cut and diced or sliced
Instructions
- Brown hamburger and put into a casserole dish.
- Dice in a layer of onions and then potatoes.
- Pour soup on top.
- Pour milk on top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 75 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle cheese over and return to oven for 15 more minutes.
Gayle Ann
It really is a variation of shepherd's pie. Ground meat covered by potatoes. One could throw in some mixed vegetables with the ground beef if desired. Perhaps add some garlic or garlic powder.
Kevin Williams
Good idea on the garlic powder, Gayle....definitely could use little flavor booster, I think...
Diane
I have been making this for years, but I put mixed veggies before the potato layer. Quick easy meal. So good!
Kevin Williams
The mixed veggies are a good idea, would balance out the starchiness of the potatoes!
Judith Irene Fotherby
I sure would like to make this yummy recipe, but not sure how many potatoes to use as it doesn't show potatoes in the ingredients?
Donna Gates Thomas
The ingredient list calls for 4 potatoes, sliced or diced.