Layered Tamale Pie

Savor the bold flavors and hearty comfort of this Layered Tamale Pie, a Tex-Mex-inspired dish that's perfect for family dinners or gatherings. This recipe combines a savory filling of seasoned ground beef, black beans, and bell peppers with layers of fluffy cornbread batter, creating a delightful contrast in texture and taste. A generous topping of shredded cheddar cheese melts over the golden crust, delivering rich, cheesy goodness in every bite. Easy to prepare and ready in just an hour, this casserole is a one-pan wonder that feeds a crowd with minimal cleanup. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a vibrant finishing touch, and serve warm for a meal packed with southwestern flair. Perfect for weeknight dinners or potluck contributions, this tamale pie is a true crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 15 ounces canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 unit large egg
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula (about 5-7 minutes).

Step 3

Stir in the diced onion, garlic, and red bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened (about 5 minutes).

Step 4

Add the canned diced tomatoes, black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir well, reduce heat, and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, milk, and egg until a smooth batter forms.

Step 6

Pour half of the cornmeal batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.

Step 7

Spoon the beef and vegetable mixture over the batter, spreading it into an even layer.

Step 8

Top the mixture with half of the shredded cheddar cheese, followed by the remaining cornmeal batter, spreading it gently to cover.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cornbread layer comes out clean.

Step 11

Remove the tamale pie from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Step 12

Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2417.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4199.3

Total Fat 215.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 94.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.3g
Cholesterol 779.5mg	0%
Sodium 6167.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 379.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 57.0g	0%
Total Sugars 36.2g
Protein 205.6g	0%

Vitamin D 148.4IU	0%
Calcium 2356.9mg	0%
Iron 31.8mg	0%
Potassium 4242.8mg	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: 45.3%

Protein: 19.2%

Carbs: 35.5%