The Easy Cheesy Tamale Pie is a delightful, comforting dish that blends the robust flavors of Mexican cuisine with the heartiness of a classic casserole. This recipe offers a perfect balance of spicy, savory ground beef filling topped with a golden, cheesy cornbread crust. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or a casual get-together, this tamale pie is sure to impress. In this article, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of creating this mouth-watering dish, complete with tips and variations to suit your preferences.
Ingredients:
For the Cornbread Topping:
| Ingredient |
Amount |
| Cornmeal |
1 cup |
| All-purpose flour |
1/2 cup |
| Baking powder |
2 teaspoons |
| Salt |
1 teaspoon |
| Large egg |
1 |
| Sour cream |
1/2 cup |
| Corn kernels |
1/2 cup |
| Milk |
1/4 cup |
For the Filling:
| Ingredient |
Amount |
| Ground beef |
1 lb |
| Chili powder |
1 tablespoon |
| Salt |
1/2 teaspoon |
| Ground cumin |
3/4 teaspoon |
| Dried oregano |
1/2 teaspoon |
| Onion powder |
1/2 teaspoon |
| Garlic powder |
1/2 teaspoon |
| Enchilada sauce |
1 cup |
For Assembly:
| Ingredient |
Amount |
| Monterey Jack cheese, grated |
1 1/2 cups |
| Cilantro, chopped |
For serving |
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch pie dish or casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
Step 2: Prepare the Cornbread Topping
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, sour cream, corn kernels, and milk until well combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Season Beef: Add chili powder, salt, ground cumin, dried oregano, onion powder, and garlic powder to the cooked ground beef. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Enchilada Sauce: Pour the enchilada sauce into the skillet with the seasoned ground beef. Stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 4: Assemble the Pie
- Layer Ingredients: Spread the ground beef mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pie dish. Sprinkle the grated Monterey Jack cheese over the beef mixture.
- Top with Cornbread: Spoon the cornbread batter over the cheese layer, spreading it out evenly to cover the filling.
Step 5: Bake and Serve
- Bake: Place the pie dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the tamale pie from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
