Description
This Irresistibly Easy Texas Tamale Pie is a comforting and hearty casserole featuring a flavorful mix of seasoned ground beef, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies layered between a creamy cornmeal crust. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and optional black olives, this classic Tex-Mex dish is baked to perfection and garnished with fresh cilantro, making it a perfect family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 Chopped Onion
- 1 can Black Beans (15 ounces, drained and rinsed)
- 1 can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies (10 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- to taste Salt and Black Pepper
Cornmeal Mixture
- 1 cup Cornmeal
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 Egg
Toppings
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- to taste Black Olives (optional)
- to taste Chopped Cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the tamale pie later.
- Prepare the filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion for about 5-7 minutes until fully cooked and onions are softened. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Let this mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Make the cornmeal batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, milk, and egg until you get a smooth and consistent batter free of lumps.
- Assemble the pie: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Pour half of the cornmeal mixture into the bottom of the dish, creating a base layer. Then spoon the cooked beef and bean filling evenly over the cornmeal. Finally, spread the remaining cornmeal mixture evenly over the top of the filling to seal it.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the final layer of cornmeal mixture. Add black olives if desired for extra flavor and texture.
- Bake the pie: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is set, golden, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the pie from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow it to set properly. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving to add a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a chopped jalapeño or increase the amount of chili powder.
- Black olives are optional but add a nice savory contrast to the dish.
- Use gluten-free cornmeal to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for up to 3 days.
- To make this vegetarian, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat alternative.
