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Tex-Mex Tamale Pie with Ground Beef and Cornbread Crust

Tex-Mex Tamale Pie with Ground Beef and Cornbread Crust

This hearty Tex-Mex casserole layers chili-style ground beef, beans, and corn under a homemade cornbread crust topped with melted cheese, perfect for a family meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 10 servings
Calories 423 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • casserole dish
  • mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

Meat Layer

  • 1-2 large onions, chopped
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 4 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder less if you don't like spicy
  • ½ teaspoon cumin (powdered)
  • ½ cup ripe sliced olives
  • 1½ cups canned or frozen corn
  • 2 15-ounce cans ranch style or pinto beans, undrained

Cornmeal Topping

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ cup cornmeal yellow or white
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2-4 ounces shredded Colby, Jack, or Cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

Meat Layer

  • Brown 1-2 large onions, chopped and 2 pounds ground beef. Drain off any excess fat.
  • Add 4 (8-ounce) cans of tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 3 teaspoons of minced garlic, 3 tablespoons of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of cumin, ½ cup of sliced olives, 1½ cups of corn, and 2 (15-ounce) cans of beans. Pour mixture into greased casserole dish and cover.
  • Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 1 to 1¼ hours. Carefully remove from the oven.

Cornbread Topping

  • Combine ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¾ cup cornmeal in a small bowl.
  • Add ½ cup milk, ½ cup sour cream, 1 beaten egg, and 2 tablespoons oil. Stir just until combined.
  • Spread cornbread topping over meat mixture, then sprinkle with 2-4 ounces of shredded cheese.
  • Bake uncovered at 425˚F (220˚C) for 20 minutes.

Notes

Make ahead and freeze: Assemble and bake the meat layer, cool and freeze. Add the cornbread topping just before reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 423kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 21gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 637mgPotassium: 433mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 998IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 125mgIron: 3mg
Keyword casserole, Cornbread, family dinner, Ground Beef, Hearty Meal, Tamale Pie
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