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 is so much better for you and tastier than Jiffy Mix. 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.
Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C) and grease a 9x9 baking dish (or 10x7) or make the whole thing in a 10-inch oven-safe skillet such as a 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.
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.
Taste your meat mixture at this point, if necessary, add additional salt, pepper, spices and herbs 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 thick cornbread topping mixture on top, spreading evenly. See notes for runny or unbaked cornbread topping.
Bake uncovered in a preheated oven for 40-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and tamale pie is bubbly.
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.
Notes
Some readers say that this is bland, be sure to taste the meat mixture; adjusting seasonings to your taste. StorageStore 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. May also reheat in the microwave. 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.
Tips for Two | Make this dish and separate into small loaf sized pans, enjoy one and freeze the other for another meal. Bake as directed.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.
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.
Oven heat: Most ovens run 25-50° hot or cold; this can mess with your cornbread topping. Use an oven thermometer to check.
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.
Variations
Make it Spicy: Add some hot sauce to the meat mixture, extra Chipotle powder, or your favorite hot salsa.
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.
Dairy-Free Tamale Pie: Nutritional yeast will substitute for the cheese, and swap the milk with beef or chicken broth or any plant-based milk.
More Veggies | Add your favorites; green pepper, red pepper, and chopped zucchini to your meat mixture.