Tamale Pie with Cornmeal Cheese Crust

Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this Tamale Pie with Cornmeal Cheese Crust, a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings. Featuring a savory filling of seasoned ground beef, black beans, sweet corn, and aromatic spices, this baked casserole is crowned with a golden, cheesy cornmeal crust that adds a delightful texture and rich, creamy flavor. With its irresistible blend of smoky chili powder, cumin, and paprika, this tamale pie captures the essence of Southwest-inspired cooking. Quick to prepare and oven-baked to bubbly perfection, it's a crowd-pleaser that's as easy to make as it is satisfying to eat. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, for a vibrant, home-cooked meal packed with wholesome, family-friendly ingredients.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, canned
• 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9-inch pie dish or 2-quart casserole dish.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), black beans, corn, cilantro (if using), 1 teaspoon of salt, and ground black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

Step 5

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and 0.5 teaspoons of salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 3-4 minutes while stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.

Step 6

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, milk, unsalted butter, and baking powder until well combined.

Step 7

Spread the cornmeal mixture evenly over the beef filling in the baking dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of cheddar cheese on top.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese crust is golden and bubbling.

Step 9

Allow the tamale pie to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro, if desired, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2706.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3276.7

Total Fat 178.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 88.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 594.0mg	0%
Sodium 6149.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 275.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 50.1g	0%
Total Sugars 39.4g
Protein 174.3g	0%

Vitamin D 107.4IU	0%
Calcium 1885.2mg	0%
Iron 24.9mg	0%
Potassium 4163.7mg	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: 47.1%

Protein: 20.5%

Carbs: 32.4%