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Recipes โ€บ Meals โ€บ Easy Weeknight Meals
51 Comments

Tamale Casserole Recipe

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope Mar 31, 2025

Jump to Recipe

Pin for Tamale Pie with corn meal crust, top image of whole tamale pie in skillet and bottom image serving of pie on a plate.
Pin for Easy Tamale Pie with image of whole tamale pie in cast iron skillet with soft cornbread crust.
Short pin for Tamale Pie casserole with image of serving of casserole on a plate with tomato and avocado garnish on top.
Pin for the best tamale pie recipe with cornmeal crust. Two images of whole skillet tamale pie and top image of serving of tamale pie on plate.

Easy Tamale Pie Recipe with Cornmeal Crust is cheesy, beefy, tamale tasty – and it is easy too. Made with simple ingredients and tamale spices, this perfect tamale pie recipe is an excellent idea for your Cinco de Mayo meal, a special occasion, or any night of the week.

This beef tamale casserole is topped with sweet cornbread and baked to perfection, you cannot go wrong in serving this dish to the family. And it is so versatile that you can alter the recipe to please even the picky eaters of the household.

Easy tamale pie with cornmeal crust.
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  • Why you will love this Tamale Casserole Recipe
  • Tamale Pie Recipe Ingredients
  • How to Make Tamale Casserole Recipe
    • How to Make Tamale Pie Recipe Ahead
  • Recommended Tools
  • Tamale Pie Variations and Substitutions
  • Kathleen's Success Tips:
  • How to Store Easy Tamale Pie
  • Easy Tamale Pie FAQs
  • What to serve with Tamale Pie Recipe
  • More Meat Pie Recipes
  • More Easy Dinner Recipes
  • Easy Tamale Pie Recipe

Why you will love this Tamale Casserole Recipe

  • Easy Weeknight Meal | This is one of those easy dinners, that you will come back to time and time again!
  • One-Skillet Option | I love making everything in one skillet, less mess to clean up!
  • Healthier | Since we do not use Jiffy Mix in this recipe, this is a healthier option, just like my Easy Corn Casserole without Jiffy Mix.

Tamale Pie Recipe Ingredients

Tamale Pie Filling:

  • Lean Ground Beef – Switch it up using ground chicken or ground turkey
  • Chopped Onion – Minced fine or even grated for picky eaters.
  • Diced Tomatoes – use fire roasted or regular, drained!
  • Corn Kernals – This is optional, I used canned drained, but you can use frozen, too
  • Black Beans – Drained and rinsed
  • Black Olives – These are optional, but I love them!
  • Green Chiles – Drained – want it more spicy, used diced jalapenos!
  • Seasonings – Chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, onion powder, and salt.

Cornbread Mix Ingredients (No Jiffy Cornbread Mix!)

  • Yellow Cornmeal – I’ve used yellow cornmeal as well as corn flour (like Pan) you may also use masa harina, which is a finer grind and is uncooked, which may require a little additional liquid (2 tablespoons)
  • Milk – I use whole milk in my cooking and baking
  • Whole Kernel Corn – Remove a little from your can of corn, and mix into the cornbread topping
  • Sugar – Just a touch for a bit of sweetness, like Jiffy, but not as sweet
  • Eggs – Binds it all together
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese is mixed right into the cornbread topping. Grate your own shredded cheese if you are gluten intolerant.

Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.

Labeled ingredients for tamale pie recipe.
Cornbread topping for tamale pie labeled ingredients.
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How to Make Tamale Casserole Recipe

Do this step first and allow the cornbread batter to sit while you make the meat mixture.

  1. Combine the cornmeal, sugar, corn, cheese, and eggs in your medium mixing bowl. Stir until just incorporated, then add milk and stir and allow to sit until thickened. An Easy Peasy Cornbread Mixture! (No Jiffy required.)
Combine corn, corn meal, in bowl.
Combine corn, eggs, corn meal.
Add optional sugar to cornmeal mixture.
Add sugar to mixture.
Add shredded cheese to cornbread mixture.
Add cheese to mixture
Adding milk to cornbread mixture.
Pour in milk, mix to combine.

2. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205° C) and grease the baking dish with non-stick spray or vegetable oil. 

3. You can also use an oven-proof skillet to make it a one-skillet meal. I like to use any pan that will go right from the stovetop into the oven – less cleaning for me! My favorite Cast Iron Skillet.

4. Heat your large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef with the onion until browned. Break it apart into tiny bits while you stir the beef and onion mixture, and don’t forget to drain off the grease when finished cooking.

5. Now you will add the tomatoes, corn, black beans, olives, green chilies, and seasonings to the beef mixture. They add those yummy tamale flavors!

browning ground beef and onions in cast iron skillet.
Brown ground beef and onions.
Adding black beans, corn, tomatoes and sliced olives into meat mixture.
Add diced tomatoes, corn, black beans and olives
Adding onion powder, kosher salt and garlic powder into meat mixture for tamale casserole.
Sprinkle in seasonings
Adding chile powder and cumin to tamale pie mixture.
Add chili powder & cumin

6. Simmer the pie filling and reduce the heat until it is just thickened, but not soupy, this takes about 10 minutes. Take a taste of the meat mixture and adjust seasonings to taste.

7. If you are using a baking dish, pour the tamale casserole filling into the prepared dish. If you use the in-pan method, remove it from the heat- you are ready to top with the cornmeal mixture.

8. Take your pan of ground meat filling and pour the cornbread batter on top to make a thick layer of cornbread pie crust. Then place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until golden brown and bubbly.

Tamale casserole and corn meal crust mixture ready to add.
Cornmeal mixture on meat mixture
Spreading corn meal mixture on top of meat mixture.
Spreading cornmeal mixture on top
Spreading cornmeal crust on top to sides of tamale pie.
Smooth to sides of the pan

9. When finished cooking, remove the tamale pie casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes or so. See troubleshooting tips for soggy cornbread topping.

10. When you are ready to serve this scrumptious and cheesy cornbread tamale pie, plate it up and top with a dollop of sour cream, avocado slices, green onions, fresh cilantro, or salsa!

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Tamale Pie recipe with cornmeal crust garnished with avocado and chopped tomatoes.

How to Make Tamale Pie Recipe Ahead

This entire dinner may be made ahead of time up to the point of baking. 

Allow the meat mixture to cool completely, then place in a disposable foil pan or line skillet with plastic wrap or foil (after entirely cooled), for easy removal and freezing.

Add the meat mixture and cornbread topping, and freeze for one hour until flash-frozen. Then remove from baking pan or skillet and wrap well. 

To bake, remove foil or plastic wrap while frozen and place in a baking dish, thaw overnight in the fridge, and bake as directed in the recipe card. 

This dish may also be frozen after baking, be sure to cool completely before freezing. 

Pro Tips: This easy tamale pie recipe uses several frozen and canned items. This makes the process go so much faster! But if you have the time and the desire, you can chop your tomatoes, use fresh corn, and add bell pepper to tomato sauce or tomato paste.

Hand scooping tamale pie recipe from skillet.
Lodge cast iron skillet with silicone handle .

Recommended Tools

  • Cast Iron Skillet | Or heavy bottomed skillet, that can go from stovetop to oven, I love this Lodge 10″ skillet with lid.
  • Wooden Spoon | Never underestimate the trusty wooden spoon, love these olive wood spoons! I have a friend who swears by these Spurtles, ever used them, I want to try!
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Tamale Pie Variations and Substitutions

  • To substitute masa harina for cornmeal in this recipe, use the same amount (1:1 ratio) and add 2-4 tablespoons of extra liquid if the batter feels too thick since masa absorbs more moisture. The result will be a softer, tamale-like topping with a richer, more authentic corn flavor that works perfectly for tamale pie.
  • Make it Spicy: Add up to ½ teaspoon cayenne or chipotle pepper powder. Increase garlic and onion powder to 1 teaspoon, use hot canned chiles. Try adding 1 teaspoon Oregano (Mexican is great if you can get it).
  • Vegetarian Tamale Pie: Substitute the ground meat for more beans like pinto beans, kidney beans, refried and black beans, or go with your favorite plant-based ground meat substitute.
  • More Veggies: Add green pepper, red pepper, chopped zucchini to your meat mixture.
Best tamale pie recipe with serving on a plate garnished with salad and avocado.

Kathleen’s Success Tips:

  • Let the Cornmeal Topping Sit: After mixing the cornmeal or masa, let it rest for 5–10 minutes so it can absorb some of the liquid. This helps it bake up soft and tender, not dry or gritty.
  • Adjust the Consistency: If the mixture thickens too much while resting, stir in a tablespoon or two of milk, broth, or water to loosen it up. On the flip side, if it’s still too soupy after sitting, stir in a tablespoon or two of additional cornmeal or masa and let it rest a few more minutes to thicken up.
  • Masa Corn Flour Note: Masa mixtures can firm up fast and become tough to spread if they sit too long. If that happens, simply add ½ to 1 cup of extra liquid (broth, water, or milk) and stir until smooth again.
  • Adjust the Spices: Everyone’s spice tolerance is different—some (like me!) prefer it mild, while others want the heat. Taste the meat mixture before adding the topping and tweak the seasonings to match your family’s vibe.

How to Store Easy Tamale Pie

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. 

Reheat | Thaw overnight in the fridge and place in an oven-safe container, covered with foil, reheating at 300°F (150° C) for 25 minutes until warmed. 

You may reheat from frozen by placing the casserole dish in a 325-degree oven (165° C), covered with foil for 40-50 minutes. Then remove the foil for the last 10 minutes or so. 

You may also reheat it in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave. 

Slice of tamale pie on plate with skillet in background.

Easy Tamale Pie FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Of course, you can. Ground turkey or ground chicken is a great way to avoid eating beef one night of the week.

Is this recipe gluten-free? 

This recipe can be GF by simply checking the cornmeal, spice jars, and canned goods to ensure they are certified gluten-free. Then make sure your cheddar cheese is gluten-free, and you are on your way to another of my easy gluten-free recipes!

Can I use Jiffy Mix instead? 

Yes, you can use Jiffy Mix cornbread instead. I prefer the homemade version, though, and other than measuring won’t take any longer. And to be clear, when using Jiffy Corn Muffin mix, you add wheat, animal lard, and preservatives to the dish. But I get it; it’s not like I’ve never used it!

Why is my cornbread topping soggy?

A couple of reasons might be in play.
1. It could be the type of cornmeal you used, all types should work, just make sure it looks like a thick paste before topping the tamale pie.
2. Allow the mixture to sit while you prepare the meat mixture, allowing it to absorb as much moisture as possible.
3. Be sure to drain your meat after browning and when simmering be sure to simmer long enough that the mixture is thickened, if too soupy this will make your cornbread topping soggy.
4. Oven heat: Most ovens run 25-50° hot or cold, this can mess with your cornbread topping.
5. Test before removing from oven – Insert a toothpick into the center of the cornbread, it should come out mostly dry, with a few moist crumbs.
6. If still not done, cover lightly with foil and return to oven 5-10 minutes at a time.

Easy tamale pie with cornmeal crust.

What to serve with Tamale Pie Recipe

While a tamale pie is a complete meal all by itself, there are a few sides to serve with it that would be delicious. I garnished with chopped tomatoes, cilantro and sliced avocado.

  1. Spanish Rice and either black beans or pinto beans (try these Charro beans) are traditional side dishes with tamales.
  2. Make Mexican corn rice (Elote) or this easy Avocado, Corn and Black Bean Salsa.
  3. Serve with homemade tortilla chips, easy blender salsa, and simple guacamole, and to-die for white Mexican cheese dip.
  4. Go simple and serve with a bagged salad; I like Taylor Farms Avocado Ranch Salad kit or make up this super simple Italian Chopped Salad.
Tamale pie with salad and chopped tomatoes, avocado and cilantro.

More Meat Pie Recipes

  1. Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
  2. Easy Baked Spaghetti Pie
  3. Easy Ham Pot Pie
  4. Pizza Rustica

More Easy Dinner Recipes

  • Easy Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff
  • Best Cheesesteak Sandwich Recipe
  • Easy Instant Pot Carnitas (Crockpot & Oven too)
  • Crockpot Ranch Chicken
  • Best Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Recipe (Low-Carb)
  • Best Cheesy Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
  • Check out all of my Cinco de Mayo Mexican recipes in the archives.

Pin for the best tamale pie recipe with cornmeal crust. Two images of whole skillet tamale pie and top image of serving of tamale pie on plate.

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Easy tamale pie recipe slice on plate with cornbread topping.

Easy Tamale Pie Recipe

4.91 from 21 readers
Author: Kathleen Pope
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Easy Tamale Pie Recipe with Cornmeal Crust is cheesy, beefy, tamale tasty – and it is easy too. Made with simple ingredients and tamale spices, a is a family favorite one skillet, gluten-free dinner recipe.
Note: This post has been updated with tips & troubleshooting on the cornbread topping.

Equipment

  • Lodge Cast Iron Pan with Lid

Ingredients 
US Customary – Metric

  • 1 – 1 ½ pounds ground beef lean, or use ground chicken or turkey
  • 1 cup onion diced
  • 15 ounce canned diced tomatoes drained, or use fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 cup corn frozen or canned, drained
  • 15 ounce canned black beans drained, rinsed
  • 4 ounce chopped green chiles drained
  • 4 ounce black olives sliced, drained
  • 1 tablespoon chile powder use Jalapeno or Chipotle chile powder for more kick
  • 1 -2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 – 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt to taste

Cornbread Topping

  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal or masa harina
  • 1 cup whole milk other percentages may be used, but it may not set up the same
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar optional
  • 2 large eggs
  • ยฝ cup corn frozen or canned, drained
  • ยฝ cup shredded cheddar cheese mild, Mexican or Sharp
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the Cornbread Topping

  • In a medium bowl combine cornmeal, milk, sugar, corn, and eggs just until moistened and combined. Stir in cheese and allow to sit while the tamale pie mixture simmers. It will thicken as it sits. If it's too soupy, add 1 tablespoon of cornmeal at a time. Note: if using masa harina increase milk to 1 ¼ – 1 ½ cups
    1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1 cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, ยฝ cup corn, ยฝ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Preheat oven to 400° F (205° C) and grease a 10×7 baking dish or a 10-12 inch cast iron pan.

Make Tamale Meat Mixture

  • Heat a large skillet (10-12 inch) over medium-high heat. Cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned, breaking apart, stirring often. Drain any grease from the skillet.
    1 – 1 ½ pounds ground beef, 1 cup onion
  • Stir in the tomatoes, corn, black beans, olives, chiles, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder and salt. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer until thickened; about 10 minutes.
    15 ounce canned diced tomatoes, 1 cup corn, 15 ounce canned black beans, 4 ounce chopped green chiles, 4 ounce black olives, 1 tablespoon chile powder, 1 -2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 – 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • Taste your meat mixture at this point, if necessary, add additional salt, pepper, spices and herbs (such as Mexican oregano) to taste.
  • Pour mixture into prepared baking dish, or if using the same pan, remove from heat. *Make sure your mixture has simmered and reduced, without liquid, if necessary, simmer a bit longer.
  • Spoon thickened cornbread topping mixture on top, spreading evenly. See notes for runny or unbaked cornbread topping.
  • Bake uncovered in a preheated oven for 35-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and tamale pie is bubbly. To check if cornbread topping is done, insert toothpick and if comes out with only a few moist crumbs it's done. If still gooey, and top is browning, place a sheet of foil loolselyover the top and continuing baking for 5-10 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve with a little sour cream, avocado slices, salsa if desired.

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Notes

Some readers say this is bland, so be sure to taste the meat mixture, adjusting seasonings. Use the higher amount of seasonings to your taste. 
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. 
To reheat | Thaw overnight in the fridge and place in an oven-safe container, covered with foil, reheating at 300°F (150° C) for 25 minutes until warmed. May reheat from frozen, place in a 325°F (165° C) oven, covered with foil for 40-50 minutes, removing foil for the last 10 minutes or so. Or microwave until hot.
Make Ahead – Freezer Instructions
  • After cooling the meat mixture, transfer it to a disposable foil pan or line a skillet with plastic wrap or foil.
  • Add the meat mixture and cornbread topping, then flash freeze it for one to two hours.
  • Once frozen, remove it from the pan or skillet and wrap it tightly. When you’re ready to bake, unwrap it and place it in a baking dish.
  • Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and bake according to the original instructions.
  • This dish may also be frozen after baking, be sure to cool completely before freezing. 
Why is my cornbread topping soggy?
  • It could be the cornmeal you used; all types should work; make sure it looks like a thick paste before topping the tamale pie, if necessary, allow it to sit longer.
  • Allow the mixture to sit while you prepare the meat mixture, allowing it to absorb as much moisture as possible, but some masa mixtures will seize up, so you’ll need to add more liquid or even 2 tablespoons of melted butter before spreading.
  • Be sure to drain your meat after browning, and when simmering, be sure to simmer long enough that the mixture is thickened; if it is too soupy, this will make your cornbread topping soggy.
  • Test before removing from oven – Insert a toothpick into the center of the cornbread; it should come out mostly dry, with a few moist crumbs.
  • If still not done, cover lightly with foil and return to oven for 5-10 minutes at a time.
Masa Notes: Masa mixtures tend to thicken quickly and can seize up if they sit too long, making them tricky to spread. If that happens, don’t worry—just stir in ½ to 1 cup of additional broth, water, or milk to loosen it back up before spreading it over the filling.
  •  

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 1332mg | Potassium: 1114mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 935IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 7mg
Easy tamale pie recipe slice on plate with cornbread topping.
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Oooh, you can pair this Mexican classic dish with Tropical Mango Fruit Salad for a refreshing side. Then take the night to the next level with Four Ingredient Margaritas and Healthier Fried Ice Cream Pie for dessert. Now my mouth is watering!

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Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, Iโ€™m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

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  1. charrington

    Thu, Jan 18, 2024 at 5:43 pm

    5 stars
    this needed so much help. i used ground chicken breast. spices needed to be increased at least another 1/2 t plus i added cayenne. and cheese???? how is there not any in the filling??? added some there and increased in topping. truly a tamale “crust” -like lead , not fluffy. i baked for 40 minutes at 400 degrees- no cornbread bakes at 350. with all these changes it was very good, bf had 3 servings. but this recipe really should be reworked.

    Reply
  2. Lawdida

    Sun, Jun 4, 2023 at 7:18 pm

    4 stars
    Very colorful dish. I thought it was โ€œOKโ€. Made with a little more cheese, blue corn meal and let sit as instructed. Very runny but it did in fact sit on top and form a crust (+!) I added the optional green pepper in the meat mixture. Honestly, It was pretty bland, and I was personally disappointed, but I along with other family members ate it up so it worked. Next time I would double the seasoning and maybe add Mexican Oregano. Good basic recipe.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Tue, Jun 6, 2023 at 9:16 am

      Glad that it worked out okay for you Lawdida; I’ve never used blue cornmeal before; it might respond a little differently than yellow or white. I’m not sure. Since everyone’s taste is different, tasting a meat mixture’s always a good idea to ensure it’s seasoned to your liking. Thank you for your kind words, hopefully you’ll get it just the way you like it!

      Reply
  3. Lawdida

    Sun, Jun 4, 2023 at 7:17 pm

    Very colorful dish. I thought it was “OK”. Made with a little more cheese, blue corn meal and let sit as instructed. Very runny but it did in fact sit on top and form a crust (+!) I added the optional green pepper in the meat mixture. Honestly, It was pretty bland, and I was personally disappointed, but I along with other family members ate it up so it worked. Next time I would double the seasoning and maybe add Mexican Oregano. Good basic recipe.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Mon, Jun 5, 2023 at 12:15 pm

      Never tried it with blue cornmeal, it might respond differently. Sorry you didnโ€™t enjoy it as you hoped. Always a good idea to taste test the meat mixture and season to your liking.

      Reply
  4. Marion Barnett

    Thu, Mar 23, 2023 at 9:05 pm

    5 stars
    I often made Tamale pie for our family when my kids were little but I found this recipe to be a significantly ungraded eating experience! The cornbread topping was delicious and so different! It cooked up beautifully and tasted amazing!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Fri, Mar 24, 2023 at 7:40 am

      Thank you, Marion! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your kind words!

      Reply
  5. Susan Ducot

    Wed, Mar 1, 2023 at 2:47 pm

    I made this recipe last night,using plant-based โ€˜ground beefโ€™ and it was delicious. Next time,I will make it without anyโ€™ground beefโ€™at all.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Wed, Mar 1, 2023 at 6:41 pm

      So glad to hear that you enjoyed it to much, add more veggies and it will be “beefier” if you choose not to add the beef.

      Reply
  6. Janine

    Mon, Feb 6, 2023 at 11:13 pm

    4 stars
    It took way longer than 30 minutes and I made the mistake of adding additional tomato sauce so it was too saucy will definitely try it again with no recipe modifications

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Tue, Feb 7, 2023 at 9:13 am

      Sorry it took so much longer for you Janine, was it the baking part that took longer or the assembly? Yes, adding or more of something can definitely change the outcome.

      Reply
  7. Herritage

    Mon, Jan 9, 2023 at 6:31 pm

    Not sure what happened but the cornmeal topping was a disaster. Used the exact amount of the ingredients but it appeared to be too soupy, too much liquid. I added more corn meal so that it had a mush type texture but it still sunk down into the meat mixture and never did cook completely after an hour at 350 it still was mushy so not sure I will try it again. ๐Ÿ™

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Tue, Jan 10, 2023 at 3:14 pm

      I am so sorry this happened to you! Did you allow it to sit while you made the rest of the ingredients? Iโ€™d love to help trouble shoot if you want to give me the types of ingredients and brands you used?

      Reply
  8. Joye Conley

    Fri, Nov 18, 2022 at 2:00 pm

    5 stars
    Yrs ago I made similar, the only difference you put corn bread mix in the bottom, the ingredients in the middle and cover with cornbread mix. It came out lovely. So delicious. I can’t find RECEIPE anywhere but this is the closest I’ve found. Got to try.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Sun, Nov 20, 2022 at 2:27 pm

      I bet you could try doing that Joye, if you do, let me know how it works out!

      Reply
  9. Debbie

    Wed, Oct 12, 2022 at 9:57 pm

    5 stars
    I made this recipe tonight and I asked my husband thumbs up or thumbs down. He said a way 2 thumbs up! We really liked it. I do have a tip for those who are only 2 people. I made the whole recipe for the filling, divided it in half, so I could cook half and freeze half. Then I only made half of the cornbread topping for our meal tonight and will make fresh topping when I take the other half out of the freezer for another meal. And half a recipe fits perfectly in my 8″ cast iron pan for baking and serving.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, Oct 13, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      Whoop! Always a win when we get two thumbs up from the hubby! And I love your tips for two! Thanks Debbie!

      Reply
  10. Janet Wright

    Fri, Aug 26, 2022 at 8:15 am

    For a 9×13โ€ pan would I double this recipe or 1 1/2 times?

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Mon, Sep 19, 2022 at 3:03 pm

      Hi Janet, that sounds about right! Hope you loved it.

      Reply
  11. Roberta Carmickle

    Fri, Jun 10, 2022 at 7:11 am

    I use MASA MIX HAS TO COOK LONGEโนR.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Mon, Jun 13, 2022 at 12:03 pm

      Good to know Roberta, how much longer did you have to cook it?

      Reply
  12. Erin

    Thu, May 19, 2022 at 9:41 am

    5 stars
    I was introduce to Tamale Pie when we moved to Texas and recently decided to make yours. IT WAS SO GOOD and comforting and exactly what I was hoping for it to be! My entire family loved this, too!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Wed, May 25, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      Thank you so much Erin, so glad you loved it!

      Reply
    • Carolyn Meyer Marker

      Thu, Dec 15, 2022 at 9:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is the best tamale pie recipe Iโ€™ve found! It will be my new go-to. Thank you!
      I chose to use pinto beans rather than black beans and really liked it. I also forgot to save corn for the crust, but otherwise I followed the recipe exactly. Crust and filling were both perfect!

      Reply
      • KathleenKathleen Pope

        Mon, Dec 19, 2022 at 1:20 pm

        So sorry I missed your comment earlier Carolyn, thank you SO MUCH! Love that you used pinto vs. black beans! Thanks for your kind words!

        Reply
  13. Michaela Kenkel

    Wed, May 18, 2022 at 7:50 pm

    5 stars
    My whole family LOVED this tamale pie! Thank you for sharing it!!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Wed, May 25, 2022 at 2:05 pm

      Fantastic!

      Reply
  14. Susannah

    Tue, May 17, 2022 at 2:02 pm

    5 stars
    We loved this recipe! I cannot wait to make it again.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Wed, May 18, 2022 at 11:05 am

      YAY! It’s on repeat at our house!

      Reply
  15. Tristin

    Tue, May 17, 2022 at 7:55 am

    5 stars
    This tamale pie brought back such great memories, my mom made it a lot. It is a keeper for sure!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Tue, May 17, 2022 at 12:31 pm

      So glad you loved it and that it brought back good memories!

      Reply
  16. Debi

    Tue, May 17, 2022 at 7:03 am

    5 stars
    This was easy to make and yummy. I made it vegetarian with plant-based “meat”. My family loved it!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Tue, May 17, 2022 at 12:32 pm

      Love it Debi! So glad you liked the flavors with your plant-based meat.

      Reply
  17. Jules

    Mon, May 16, 2022 at 7:39 pm

    5 stars
    I’d never made tamales before so couldn’t wait to try this recipe. It was so easy and delicious. It was quick enough to make after a full day of work too.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Tue, May 17, 2022 at 12:33 pm

      Yay! And yes, it’s a quick and filling recipe!

      Reply
  18. Sandra Shaffer

    Mon, May 16, 2022 at 1:05 pm

    5 stars
    Love it when I have all the ingredients on hand! This came together quick, which is our go-to types of meals lately. Flavorful and easy to make. Not a bite was left for the next day though. I might need to double it next time!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Tue, May 17, 2022 at 12:37 pm

      I guess that means everyone liked it!

      Reply
  19. Mindy

    Mon, May 16, 2022 at 11:42 am

    5 stars
    We love tamale and were excited to find this recipe. It did not disappoint! Much easier than traditional tamales, while scratching that itch! The flavors were delicious!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Wed, May 25, 2022 at 2:08 pm

      Yay, so glad you loved it!

      Reply
  20. Nikki

    Fri, May 13, 2022 at 6:10 am

    5 stars
    Love the homemade cornbread in this. Perfect flavorings and I like that it’s healthier!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Sun, May 15, 2022 at 6:52 pm

      Thanks so much Nikki!

      Reply
  21. Sharon

    Wed, May 4, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! This was such a great dinner recipe. I am always looking to add ground beef recipe to my rotation and this one is in. Thanks!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, May 5, 2022 at 1:37 pm

      Fantastic, love hearing that Sharon!

      Reply
  22. Dana Sandonato

    Wed, May 4, 2022 at 5:33 pm

    5 stars
    Absolute comfort in a skillet! My family and I loved this; I’ll definitely be making it again ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, May 5, 2022 at 1:46 pm

      Yes indeed! Thanks so much!

      Reply
  23. Andrea

    Wed, May 4, 2022 at 4:55 pm

    5 stars
    Great variation on a tamale! I love how easy it is to make. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, May 5, 2022 at 1:47 pm

      You are most welcome!

      Reply
  24. Anita

    Wed, May 4, 2022 at 4:49 pm

    5 stars
    This tastes so delicious and so much easier than individual tamales. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, May 5, 2022 at 1:47 pm

      So much easier!

      Reply
  25. sara

    Wed, May 4, 2022 at 4:46 pm

    5 stars
    A great weekday recipe, easy and delicious, I reduced the spice a little and the whole family loved it!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, May 5, 2022 at 1:47 pm

      Glad you made it to your taste! That’s what it’s all about, making it yours!

      Reply

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Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Hey there! I'm Kathleen Pope, a proud wife, mom of two awesome college boys, and recipe nerd. Welcome to my world of easy recipes with a healthy twist! Join thousands who trust The Fresh Cooky as their go-to recipe source. Let's cook up some magic!

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