The invention discloses a shell-imitated ceramic-based composite material. The shell-imitated ceramic-based composite material is prepared by an ice template method and a liquid-phase infiltration technology, and is characterized by comprising a layered structure, wherein ceramic layers and second phase layers are alternately overlapped to form a layered structure; each ceramic layer has surface projections and an interlayer bridging structure; and the ceramic layers and the second phase layers are bent in a wavy manner. Preparation of the wavy bent layered structure is realized by compression of a porous ceramic blank which has the straight layered structure, and meanwhile, the degree of bending of the ceramic layers can be controlled by adjustment of compression deformation of the blank. Along with increasing of amount of compression, the curvature of the bent ceramic layers in the blank is increased. Mechanical performance tests show that if the bending degree of the layered structure of the shell-imitated ceramic-based composite material is increased properly, the strength and fracture toughness of the composite material can be improved effectively.