Traditional Tamale Pie

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 35 min
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

This Traditional Tamale Pie is a hearty, comforting dish that brings together savory beef, vibrant veggies, and a golden cornmeal crust. It's perfect for a family dinner or a potluck, offering a taste of home with every bite.

Ingredients for Traditional Tamale Pie

Ground beef provides the savory base, rich in flavor and satisfying. Sautéing it brings out its depth. Onion and garlic add aromatic layers, enhancing the beef. Corn kernels and black beans contribute sweetness and a creamy texture, complementing the savory elements. Diced tomatoes bring acidity and moisture, essential for a balanced filling. Chili powder and cumin introduce warmth and spice, while salt and black pepper round out the flavors. Cheddar cheese adds a melty, tangy layer atop the filling. The cornmeal and flour mixture forms a golden crust, with baking powder ensuring it rises to perfection. Milk, vegetable oil, and a egg create a smooth, cohesive batter.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use freshly grated cheese for better melt and flavor.
  • If you prefer, replace ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter version.
  • Letting the pie rest before serving helps the layers hold together better.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for balance. You can also serve it with a dollop of sour cream or salsa on the side for a refreshing contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the filling a day in advance and assemble the pie before baking.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely, this dish freezes well. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
What can I use instead of cornmeal?
If you're out of cornmeal, polenta is a suitable substitute.

Traditional Tamale Pie Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it's ready when you are. Next, in a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy. Toss in the onion and garlic, cooking until the onion turns translucent—this should take about five minutes.

Stir in the corn kernels, black beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for about five minutes, letting the flavors meld together beautifully.

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and transfer the beef mixture into it, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top, which will melt into a deliciously gooey layer.

In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk, vegetable oil, and egg until you have a smooth batter. Pour this over the beef mixture, ensuring it covers completely.

Bake in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. You'll know it's done when the cornmeal topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving to allow everything to set nicely.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to prepare and great for feeding a crowd.
  • A delightful fusion of flavors and textures.
  • Perfect for make-ahead meals and leftovers.
  • A balanced mix of protein, carbs, and veggies.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 cup onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet, cooking until the onion is translucent.
4. Stir in the corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
6. In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.
7. Stir in milk, vegetable oil, and egg until smooth. Pour the batter evenly over the beef mixture in the baking dish.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cornmeal topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the crust comes out clean.
9. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!