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Easy Weeknight Texas Tamale Pie with Cheesy Cornbread Topping

A close-up view of a hearty slice of tamale pie featuring a thick layer of seasoned ground meat topped with golden cornbread and melted cheddar cheese.
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Make this hearty Texas Tamale Pie for a simple, comforting dinner. This recipe layers seasoned ground beef with corn and beans, then tops it with a quick, cheesy cornbread crust. It is a perfect family dinner idea for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), undrained
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 1 (8.5 ounce) package corn muffin mix (like Jiffy mix)
  • Ingredients listed on corn muffin mix package (usually milk and eggs)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir in the rinsed black beans, Rotel, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the frozen corn. Spread this meat mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
  5. Prepare the corn muffin mix according to the package directions, usually mixing the dry mix with milk and eggs. Stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the batter.
  6. Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the meat filling in the baking dish.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
  9. Let the Texas Tamale Pie cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the meat filling.
  • You can prepare the meat filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days. Assemble and bake when ready to eat.
  • This dish freezes well; cool completely, cover tightly, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/easy-tamale-pie-45-min-comfort-casserole/