California Tamale Pie

Satisfy your craving for comfort food with this California Tamale Pie, a hearty and flavorful twist on classic tamale-inspired dishes. This easy one-pan recipe combines seasoned ground beef, black beans, sweet corn, and vibrant bell peppers, all simmered in a zesty tomato base and topped with a golden, fluffy layer of cornbread. With its cheesy center and warm spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika, each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory and mildly sweet flavors. Ready in just 50 minutes, this budget-friendly casserole is an ideal choice for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. Serve it straight from the oven and watch it disappear—this crowd-pleaser is as satisfying as it is simple to make!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 15 ounces diced tomatoes (canned, with juices)
• 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 package cornbread mix
• 0.75 cup milk (for cornbread mix)
• 1 large egg (for cornbread mix)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or similar-sized casserole dish.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Once the beef is browned, add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), black beans, frozen corn, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 5

Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.

Step 6

Prepare the cornbread batter according to the package instructions, using the milk and egg specified in the ingredient list.

Step 7

Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the beef and cheese layer in the baking dish, spreading it out with a spatula to cover the filling completely.

Step 8

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked through (a toothpick inserted into the cornbread should come out clean).

Step 9

Remove the tamale pie from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Slice into portions and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2376.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3510.2

Total Fat 164.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 613.6mg	0%
Sodium 6587.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 355.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 48.4g	0%
Total Sugars 94.9g
Protein 172.1g	0%

Vitamin D 157.0IU	0%
Calcium 1869.8mg	0%
Iron 27.8mg	0%
Potassium 4671.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.2%

Protein: 19.2%

Carbs: 39.6%