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This Tamale Pie is a hearty casserole with a savory ground beef filling, warm spices, and a golden cornbread topping. Easy to make, family-friendly, and perfect for weeknight dinners!
Why You’ll Love Tamale Pie!
Tamale pie has always been one of my favorite comfort food recipes because it reminds me of potlucks and family dinners! I love the way the spiced beef filling bubbles up beneath that golden cornbread crust, for a delicious casserole recipe that is cozy and flavorful.
Every time I make it, it brings back those warm, homey feelings, and I love that it’s just as good for busy weeknights as it is for sharing with a crowd.
My kids love to top it with a dollop of sour cream and fresh cilantro! This Easy Tamale Pie Recipe is packed with so much flavor and with these simple steps, you will have dinner done in no time! Make sure to also check out this Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef – We used lean ground beef
- Vegetables – Diced onion, red bell pepper and green bell pepper for added flavor
- Ancho Chili Powder – See The Best Chili Powder Substitute
- Cumin – See Best Substitute for Cumin
- Diced Tomatoes – I like using a can of Rotel with green chiles
- Whole Kernel Corn – Use can corn, drained
- Black Beans – Drained and rinsed
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Use freshly shredded cheese. Monterey Jack is a great addition
- Cornbread Crust – You can easily use a homemade cornbread recipe instead of the jiffy cornbread mixes if you prefer.
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make Tamale Pie
Step 1 – Preheat oven 375 degrees F. Spray a 9X13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2 – Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
Step 3 – Stir in the bell peppers, onions , cumin , chili powder and salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the peppers start to soften. Drain off any excess grease if needed.
Step 4 – Stir in the tomatoes, chillies, beans, corn and water. Heat for a few minutes until heated through.
Step 5 – Stir in the shredded cheese.
Step 6 – Pour the mixture into the prepared pan into an even layer.
Step 7 – In a large bowl, stir together the Jiffy corn mixes, eggs, milk and melted butter until combined.
Step 8 – Pour the batter over the top of the meat mixture and smooth it out into an even layer.
Step 9 – Bake for 30-40 minutes until the top of the cornbread is lightly golden brown and is cooked through. Let sit for 5 minutes and then it’s ready to serve and enjoy!
Tamale Pie
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- ½ onion diced
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- 1 tbsp ancho chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can can diced green chilies
- 1 can whole kernel corn drained
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- ¾ cup Water
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 jiffy corn bread mix
- 2 Eggs
- ⅔ cup Milk
- ⅔ cup Butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven 375 degrees F. Spray a 9X13 baking pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in the bell peppers, onions , cumin , chili powder and salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the peppers start to soften.
- Drain off any excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the tomatoes, chillies, beans, corn and water.
- Heat for a few minutes until heated through.
- Stir in the shredded cheese.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan into an even layer.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the Jiffy corn mixes, eggs, milk and melted butter until combined.
- Pour the batter over the top of the meat mixture and smooth it out into an even layer.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until the top of the cornbread is lightly golden brown and is cooked through.
- Let sit for 5 minutes and then it’s ready to serve and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Variations Ideas
- Vegetables – You can easily add any veggies or omit any from the meat mixture that you prefer. Carrots, olives or peas would all be delicious in this recipe.
- Meat Variations – Feel free to swap the meat with ground chicken or ground turkey. You can even make vegetarian and omit the meat and use black beans and pinto beans.
- Spicy – For a hint of spice add in chopped jalapenos or ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
- Seasoning – Feel free to change the seasoning by adding Homemade taco seasoning.
What to Serve with Tamale Pie
- Simple Green Salad
- Best Mexican White Cheese Dip Recipe, Homemade Salsa Recipe and Tortilla Chips
- Mexican Rice
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can assemble the ground beef mixture into the baking dish then cover and store in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, top with the cornbread mixture and bake.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Warm in oven at 350°F or microwave single servings.
Freeze baked portions up to 3 months in a freezer safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to reheat.
More Easy Ground Beef Casseroles
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