Mom's Tamale Pie

Take comfort food to the next level with "Mom's Tamale Pie," a hearty, Tex-Mex-inspired casserole that's perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family gatherings. This easy recipe features a savory base of seasoned ground beef (or ground turkey), colorful bell pepper, and juicy tomatoes, all topped with a golden, cheesy cornbread layer that bakes to perfection in just 30 minutes. With simple pantry staples like cornmeal, cheddar cheese, and spice cabinet essentials like chili powder and cumin, this dish combines bold flavors with a rustic, homey appeal. Ideal for feeding a crowd, this one-dish dinner is as satisfying as it is simple to prepare. Pair it with a crisp salad or a dollop of sour cream for an unforgettable meal! Keywords: tamale pie recipe, hearty casserole, Tex-Mex dinner, cheesy cornbread topping, family meal, easy weeknight dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (canned, with juices)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup kernel corn (drained, if canned)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.

Step 3

Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5

Mix in the kernel corn and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Remove the skillet from heat and set aside.

Step 6

For the cornbread topping, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and 0.5 teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl.

Step 7

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and melted butter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Step 8

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread the meat mixture evenly over the bottom of the dish.

Step 9

Pour the cornbread batter over the meat mixture, spreading it evenly to cover.

Step 10

Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top of the cornbread batter.

Step 11

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

Step 12

Let the tamale pie cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1441.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3221.3

Total Fat 169.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 765.5mg	0%
Sodium 5335.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 297.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.2g	0%
Total Sugars 40.2g
Protein 144.4g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 1000.2mg	0%
Iron 24.5mg	0%
Potassium 3021.8mg	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: 46.4%

Protein: 17.5%

Carbs: 36.1%