Description
Texas Tamale Pie is a hearty and flavorful casserole combining seasoned ground beef with black beans, corn, and a zesty mix of salsa and enchilada sauce, all topped with a golden, fluffy cornbread crust. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for family dinners and meal prepping, delivering a comforting taste of Tex-Mex cuisine in every bite.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 cup Onion (diced)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1-2 Jalapeno Peppers (diced)
- 1 teaspoon Chipotle Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 cups Red Salsa
- 1 (10-ounce) can Enchilada Sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn (drained)
Cornbread Topping
- 2 boxes Jiffy Cornbread Mix
- 2 Eggs
- 2/3 cup Milk
Toppings
- Sour Cream
- Chopped Tomatoes or Pico de Gallo
- Cilantro
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Meat Mixture: In a sauté pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion, minced garlic, and diced jalapeño peppers until the beef is browned and no longer pink. Stir to combine and break up meat.
- Prepare Cornbread Batter: While the meat cooks, in a bowl, combine the Jiffy cornbread mix with the eggs and milk. Stir just until combined without overmixing to keep the batter light.
- Season Meat: Add chipotle chili powder, paprika, salt, cumin, and black pepper to the cooked meat mixture. Stir to evenly distribute the spices.
- Add Sauces and Vegetables: Pour in the red salsa and enchilada sauce, then fold in the rinsed black beans and drained corn. Mix thoroughly.
- Assemble Dish: Spread the meat mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan.
- Add Cornbread Layer: Spoon the cornbread batter over the meat mixture and spread it out evenly using a spatula.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread topping comes out clean.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and top the tamale pie with your choice of sour cream, chopped tomatoes or pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, and guacamole before serving.
Notes
- You can adjust the number of jalapeños depending on your preferred spice level.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat or extra beans and vegetables.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Adding a sprinkle of shredded cheese on top before baking provides a cheesy crust variation.
