Your Family Will Love This Weight Watchers Shipwreck Casserole Recipe enthusiasts

Dive into the comfort and savory flavors of this Shipwreck casserole for only 5 WW points. This layered casserole is traditional comfort food at its finest.

Shipwreck casserole is a hearty-tomato based dish that’s perfect for using up leftover ingredients accumulated throughout the week. While this recipe already uses a variety of vegetables, feel free to get creative and use what you have on hand. You can experiment with various veggies such as peppers, zucchini, or even spinach to add extra layers of flavor and nutritional value. 

You’ll love the heartiness of the tomato base and the textures that come together from the various ingredients. From the savory beef to the tender vegetables, each bite is a satisfying and wholesome experience.

WHY YOU SHOULD TRY THIS RECIPE

• Pantry-friendly: Several of the ingredients in this recipe can be stored in the pantry. Whether you’re planning to make this tasty dish tonight or aiming to keep a stock of ingredients for a last-minute meal, you’ll appreciate the simple ingredients that are easily stored for when the moment strikes.
• Cost-effective: The ingredients for this meal are inexpensive and can be subbed as needed. Even if you don’t have ground beef, you can leave it out and still have a filling meal. The majority of the other ingredients typically cost less than a dollar each. 
• Adaptable: Shipwreck casseroles are very adaptable. They’re the perfect way to use up leftover veggies so they won’t have to go to waste. You can even use leftover beef that was seasoned for tacos or spaghetti.

RECIPE OVERVIEW

• Serving Size: 272g
• Number of Servings: 6
• Time to Cook: 60 minutes
• WW Points Per Recipe: 30 per batch, 5 points per serving

INGREDIENTS IN SHIPWRECK CASSEROLE

• 1 pound 90/10 lean ground beef: Lean protein is the base for this casserole. It adds rich flavor and a hearty texture.
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Garlic powder adds a savory quality to the beef and soaks into the other layers for flavor throughout. 
• 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt: Salt is needed to ensure the casserole doesn’t taste bland. It’s added to the ground beef and a few pinches are sprinkled throughout to ensure bright flavor. 
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper: Ground pepper adds subtle heat.
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning: This dry Italian herb blend keeps the dish exciting and goes perfectly with the tomato base. 
• ½ cup frozen cauliflower rice: A swap for the traditional long grain white rice in Shipwreck casserole, cauliflower rice is nutritious and convenient.
• 1 sliced Yukon Gold potato: Any variety you have on hand will work great including frozen diced potatoes.
• 1 sliced carrot: Carrots add a hint of sweet flavor that balances the tomato base of the casserole. 
• ½ cup peas: Peas add color, texture, and a pop of sweetness.
• ½ cup diced yellow onion: Onions enhance the flavors in Shipwreck casserole. Feel free to use white onions or canned pearl onions as a chunkier alternative.
• ½ cup chopped celery: Celery along with carrots and onion come together as a powerhouse mixture for soups and salads. Celery’s mild taste balances the sweet and savory aspects of the dish while adding texture.
• 1 (10.75 )ounce can of condensed tomato soup: Condensed soup provides concentrated tomato flavor to the casserole.
• 1 (14.5) ounce can of diced tomatoes: Bite-size chunks of tomatoes make Shipwreck casserole even more satisfying. While not traditionally part of this dish, the addition reinforces the flavors.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING SHIPWRECK CASSEROLE

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Break the meat into crumbles and continue cooking until no pink remains. Then, Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt, garlic powder, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning on top of the meat and mix to combine. 

2. Spray a 9-inch round baking dish with cooking spray. Place the ground beef onto the bottom of the pan as the first layer. 

3. Top the ground beef with the sliced potatoes in an even layer, overlapping slightly as needed. Sprinkle a light layer of salt on top of the potatoes.

4. Pour the can of diced tomatoes on top of the casserole in an even layer. Top with onions.

5. Add the celery and carrots to the dish.

6. Add the peas on top of the celery in an even layer. Top the peas with the cauliflower rice and spread the condensed soup on top. Sprinkle with remaining Italian seasoning.

7. Place the casserole into the oven and bake for 60-90 minutes until the sides are bubbling and the potatoes are fork-tender. Cover with foil if it begins to brown at the edges too much. Serve warm.

VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

• Protein swap: Feel free to use ground chicken or ground turkey in this dish. 
• Use veggies you have on hand: Whether canned, frozen, or fresh, you can use whatever veggies you already have to fill out this casserole. Just be sure to drain canned vegetables before adding them to your dish. 
• Use chicken: This dish is beef-based but would taste great with diced or shredded chicken as well. You can keep the tomato soup base or swap it for low-sodium condensed chicken soup for a creamy and lighter-tasting alternative. 
• Make it in the slow cooker: To make this dish Crockpot-friendly, simply add the cooked meat and all of the remaining ingredients. You can layer them as done with the casserole or stir them together. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MAKING SHIPWRECK CASSEROLE

• Slice vegetables evenly: When slicing the potatoes and carrots, it’s important to make the slices as uniform as possible for even cooking. A mandolin can help take the guesswork out of size slices and speed up the process. 
• Pre-cook the meat: Cooking meat before adding it to a casserole adds flavor from the browning and ensures that all of the meat is properly cooked.
• Season in layers: Hearty vegetables often require lots of seasoning to bring out their flavors. As you add each layer, add a pinch of salt.
• Let it rest: After cooking, allow at least 15 minutes for the casserole to set. As the ingredients cool, the starch will help the casserole firm up and make it easier to scoop into servings.

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