Cornbread Tamale Pie

Get ready to savor the comforting flavors of the Southwest with this hearty Cornbread Tamale Pie! This irresistibly easy casserole features a bold, savory filling of seasoned ground beef, black beans, diced tomatoes, and green chilies, all simmered to perfection with aromatic spices like smoky paprika and cumin. Topped with a golden, buttery cornbread layer—made effortlessly with a cornbread mix—this one-skillet dish is a weeknight dinner hero that comes together in under an hour. Perfectly cheesy, delightfully spiced, and endlessly customizable with toppings like sour cream or jalapeños, this family-friendly recipe is a must-try for fans of Tex-Mex flavors. Whether you're hosting a casual dinner or meal-prepping for the week, this Cornbread Tamale Pie is guaranteed to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef (80% lean)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, canned (with juices)
• 4 ounces green chilies, diced (canned)
• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 box (approximately 8.5 ounces) cornbread mix (dry)
• 0.75 cup milk (for cornbread mix)
• 1 large egg (for cornbread mix)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for cornbread mix)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9x9-inch baking dish or a deep 10-inch skillet.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the diced tomatoes, green chilies, black beans, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and evenly distributed.

Step 6

Transfer the filling mixture to the prepared baking dish if not already in an oven-safe skillet.

Step 7

Prepare the cornbread topping according to the box instructions by mixing the cornbread mix with the milk, egg, and melted butter. Stir until just combined; do not overmix.

Step 8

Spoon the cornbread batter evenly over the meat mixture, spreading gently to cover as much of the top as possible.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10

Allow the tamale pie to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1999.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3402.7

Total Fat 182.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 81.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 688.7mg	0%
Sodium 5072.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 288.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.5g	0%
Total Sugars 67.0g
Protein 153.9g	0%

Vitamin D 179.1IU	0%
Calcium 1744.5mg	0%
Iron 25.2mg	0%
Potassium 3486.3mg	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: 48.2%

Protein: 18.0%

Carbs: 33.8%