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Texas Tamale Pie Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 130 reviews

Texas Tamale Pie is a hearty and flavorful Tex-Mex casserole featuring a savory ground beef and black bean filling layered between a creamy cornmeal topping, baked to golden perfection and finished with melted cheddar cheese and optional black olives. This comforting dish brings together warm spices like chili powder and cumin, balanced with fresh garnishes, making it a perfect family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken for leaner option)
  • 1 cup chopped onion (yellow or white)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (no added sugar)
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Cornmeal Topping

  • 1 cup cornmeal (yellow or white)
  • 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1 large egg

Topping

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Monterey Jack/pepper jack)
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure even cooking and to achieve a crispy, golden crust on the tamale pie.
  2. Cook the Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion together until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
  3. Add Beans and Spices: Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes to combine flavors and heat through.
  4. Prepare the Cornmeal Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, milk, and egg until smooth. This mixture will serve as the creamy cornmeal topping and base.
  5. Layer the Ingredients: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cornmeal mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly. Layer the beef and bean mixture over the cornmeal. Pour the remaining cornmeal mixture on top, spreading it to cover the filling.
  6. Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and sliced black olives evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and set.
  7. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the pie cool for 10 minutes to allow layers to set. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired, then slice and serve hot.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
  • If you prefer a spicier pie, increase the chili powder or add diced jalapeños.
  • Non-dairy milk can be used to make this dish dairy-free.
  • Black olives are optional but add a nice briny contrast.
  • Letting the pie cool before slicing ensures cleaner cuts and better presentation.
  • For added texture, you can sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top with the cheese before baking.

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

Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/texas-tamale-pie-recipe/