Tamale Pie Recipe

Introduction

Tamale pie is a comforting and flavorful dish that brings the taste of traditional tamales into an easy-to-make casserole. With a golden cornbread crust and a savory beef filling topped with melted cheese, it’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 large egg
• 1 box corn muffin mix
• 1/2 cup canned creamed corn
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/3 cup red enchilada sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a large ovenproof skillet with cooking spray.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, corn muffin mix, creamed corn, and sour cream until combined. Pour this batter into the prepared skillet.
3. Step 3: Bake the cornbread until it turns golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let it cool slightly.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, chili powder, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 7 minutes.
5. Step 5: Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 6 minutes.
6. Step 6: Using a fork, poke holes all over the cornbread surface. Pour the red enchilada sauce evenly over the cornbread.
7. Step 7: Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the enchilada sauce layer. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the top.
8. Step 8: Cover the dish with foil and bake until the cheese melts, about 20 minutes.
9. Step 9: Turn on the broiler. Remove the foil and broil the tamale pie, watching closely, until the cheese turns golden brown, about 5 minutes.
10. Step 10: Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro, and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture or use a spicy enchilada sauce.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Try adding black beans or corn kernels to the beef mixture for added texture and flavor.
• If you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, bake the cornbread in a separate pan, then assemble and bake in a baking dish.

Storage

Store leftover tamale pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or microwave individual portions for a quick meal.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use a gluten-free corn muffin mix to make this tamale pie suitable for a gluten-free diet.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the cornbread and beef filling in advance, then assemble and bake the dish when ready to serve.

Tamale Pie Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 112 reviews

This Tamale Pie combines a savory ground beef filling seasoned with chili powder and cumin with a fluffy cornbread topping made from corn muffin mix, creamed corn, and sour cream. Baked to golden perfection and topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for a family dinner.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 51 minutes
• Total Time: 66 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cornbread Topping

• 1 large egg
• 1 box corn muffin mix
• 1/2 cup canned creamed corn
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Beef Filling

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/3 cup red enchilada sauce

Toppings

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
• Cooking spray (for greasing skillet)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Cornbread: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a large ovenproof skillet with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, corn muffin mix, creamed corn, and sour cream until well combined. Transfer this mixture evenly into the prepared skillet.
2. Bake Cornbread: Bake the cornbread topping in the oven until it turns golden brown, approximately 20 minutes. Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
3. Cook Beef Mixture: While the cornbread bakes, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion along with the chili powder and cumin. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Then, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until it is fully browned and no longer pink, about 6 minutes.
4. Assemble the Pie: Using a fork, poke holes over the entire surface of the cornbread to allow flavors to seep in. Pour the red enchilada sauce evenly over the cornbread. Next, spread the cooked beef mixture on top, then sprinkle evenly with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
5. Bake Pie Covered: Cover the skillet loosely with aluminum foil and bake the tamale pie for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted thoroughly.
6. Broil for Golden Cheese and Serve: Switch your oven to broil. Remove the foil and broil the tamale pie closely watching it, until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Finally, sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

• Using an ovenproof skillet allows for easier assembly and baking.
• Feel free to substitute ground turkey for a leaner option.
• Adjust the chili powder and cumin quantities to tailor the spice level to your preference.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
• For a vegetarian option, replace ground beef with cooked lentils or textured vegetable protein.

Keywords: tamale pie, ground beef recipe, cornbread topping, Mexican comfort food, easy dinner, enchilada sauce, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese