Tamale Pie is a comfort food classic with beef, corn, and tomatoes topped with a cornbread crust.

tamale pie with scoop out

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EASY TAMALE PIE RECIPE

This is a Mexican meal that is the ultimate comfort food and a family favorite. The meat mixture is seasoned with tomatoes, enchilada sauce, corn, and black olives.

INGREDIENTS

  • BEEF
  • ONION
  • GARLIC
  • DICED TOMATOES
  • WHOLE KERNEL CORN – Corn adds a little sweetness. You could also add a can of black beans to bulk it up.
  • ENCHILADA SAUCE – I like to use mild but if you like a little more spice use a medium heat version. I tried tomato sauce and tomato paste but the enchilada sauce just had the best flavor.
  • GREEN CHILES
  • OLIVES
  • CHILI POWDER
  • GROUND CUMIN
  • SHREDDED CHEESE
  • CORNMEAL – You can find corn flour next to the flour at the grocery store.tamale pie on a blue plate

CAN I SUBSTITUTE A CORNBREAD MIX?

Yes, the cornbread topping in a traditional tamale pie is a bit more dense than a corn muffin mix but can be used.

And of course the toppings make this dish!

tamale pie on a blue plate

OTHER MEXICAN RECIPES:

tamale pie with scoop out

Tamale Pie

5 from 6 votes
Tamale Pie is a delicious recipe with the flavor of tamales that the entire family loves
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs ground beef
  • 3/4 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
  • 1 (10 ounce) can red enchilada sauce
  • 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles, drained
  • 1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced olives, drained
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

CORNMEAL TOPPING:

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  • In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until the beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Drain.
  • Add the tomatoes, corn, enchilada sauce, green chiles, olives, chili powder, and cumin. Cook for about 5 minutes until liquid has reduced. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the prepared baking dish.
  • For the cornmeal topping: Combine all the ingredients and stir well. Pour over beef mixture.
  • Bake for 35-45 minutes or until cornmeal mixture is firm. Top with a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, or pico de gallo. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Cuisine: Mexican
Course: All Recipes, Main Course, Main Dishes
Author: Christy Denney

tamale pie

tamale pie

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Christy Denney
Christy is the voice behind The Girl Who Who Ate Everything! She is no stranger to making meals that kids and adults will love. She grew up in Mesa, Arizona as the youngest of ten kids. She can always be found in her kitchen with music playing and cooking with her kids. She published her first cookbook in 2014. She loves party food that gets the conversations going!
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