Texas Tamale Pie Recipe

Introduction

Texas Tamale Pie is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines savory beef, beans, and spices with a creamy cornmeal topping. It’s an easy one-pan meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5–7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
3. Step 3: Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, milk, and egg until the batter is smooth.
5. Step 5: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cornmeal mixture into the dish and spread it evenly.
6. Step 6: Layer the beef mixture over the cornmeal base, then pour the remaining cornmeal batter over the top.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and black olives (if using) evenly over the top.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
9. Step 9: Allow the tamale pie to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño to the beef mixture or use spicy diced tomatoes.
• Swap cheddar cheese for pepper jack for a creamier, spicier topping.
• Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
• If black olives aren’t your favorite, you can omit them or substitute with sliced green olives or chopped bell peppers.
• To make it vegetarian, replace the beef with extra beans or a meat substitute.

Storage

Store leftover tamale pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm in a 350°F oven until heated through. For longer storage, you can freeze the tamale pie for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Texas Tamale Pie ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare and assemble the tamale pie a few hours in advance, then refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just bake it straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.

What can I serve with Texas Tamale Pie?

This dish pairs well with a simple green salad, steamed vegetables, or a side of guacamole and sour cream for added creaminess and flavor.

Texas Tamale Pie Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 128 reviews

Texas Tamale Pie is a hearty and flavorful casserole that combines seasoned ground beef, black beans, and tomatoes with green chilies, all layered with a creamy cornmeal batter and topped with melted cheddar cheese and black olives. This comforting dish is baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh cilantro, making it perfect for a satisfying family meal.

• Author: Caleb
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef Mixture

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cornmeal Batter

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg

Toppings and Garnish

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature before baking the tamale pie.
2. Cook Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion together for about 5-7 minutes until the beef is browned and the onion has softened. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
3. Add Beans and Seasonings: Stir in the drained black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors and heat through.
4. Prepare Cornmeal Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, milk, and egg until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating the batter that will form the base and top of the pie.
5. Assemble the Pie: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Pour half of the cornmeal batter into the dish and spread it evenly. Then layer the beef mixture over the batter, followed by pouring the remaining cornmeal batter on top.
6. Add Toppings: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and, if using, sliced black olives evenly over the top of the final batter layer to add flavor and richness during baking.
7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the tamale pie is set and cooked through.
8. Cool and Garnish: Remove the baked tamale pie from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes to set properly. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before slicing and serving.

Notes

• For a spicier version, add extra diced green chilies or jalapeños to the beef mixture.
• Black olives are optional but add a nice briny contrast; omit if undesired or allergic.
• Use low-fat cheese and milk to reduce calories and fat content if preferred.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
• To make this dish gluten-free, ensure the cornmeal is certified gluten-free and check canned ingredients for additives.

Keywords: Texas Tamale Pie, tamale pie, Tex-Mex casserole, ground beef casserole, cornmeal pie, easy dinner, baked tamale pie