Classic Tamale Pie Recipe

Enjoy the flavors of traditional Mexican tamales in the form of a comforting casserole. This tamale pie recipe features a hearty ground beef filling, a rich tomato sauce, and a fluffy cornbread topping. It's a delicious and easy dinner option that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 egg

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9-inch (23-cm) square baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced green chilies, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add the corn kernels to the skillet and stir to combine. Remove the skillet from the heat.
6. Pour the beef mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it evenly.
7. In a mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
8. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, and egg.
9. Pour the milk mixture into the cornmeal mixture and stir until just combined.
10. Spread the cornbread batter evenly over the beef mixture in the baking dish.
11. Bake the tamale pie in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through.
12. Remove the tamale pie from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
13. Return the tamale pie to the oven for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
14. Allow the tamale pie to cool slightly before serving.
15. Serve the tamale pie with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, diced tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños.

Interesting Facts