This Texas Tamale Pie uses basic pantry items and cooks in one dish. The cornmeal topping gives a soft, cornbread-like layer over a spicy beef and bean mix. It is a good comfort food that does not take long to prepare and bakes in about 30–35 minutes.
Table of Contents
Why make this recipe
Texas Tamale Pie is warm, filling, and easy to make. It mixes beef, beans, and cornmeal into one dish that kids and adults like. You can make it for weeknights, potlucks, or a simple family dinner. For a sweet finish, try a rich pie like Texas chocolate pecan pie after your meal.
How to make Texas Tamale Pie
Start by browning the beef with onion, then add beans and tomatoes with chilies and spices. Make a simple cornmeal batter with milk and egg. Layer half the batter, the beef mix, then the rest of the batter. Top with cheese and olives and bake. If you want a vegetarian pot pie instead, see this roasted autumn vegetable pot pie for ideas on swapping the filling.
Ingredients :
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Directions :
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal, milk, and egg, mixing until smooth.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cornmeal mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.
- Layer the beef mixture over the cornmeal, then pour the remaining cornmeal mixture on top.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and black olives over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
Texas Tamale Pie
A comforting one-dish meal featuring a spicy beef and bean mix topped with a soft cornmeal layer.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal, milk, and egg, mixing until smooth.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cornmeal mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.
- Layer the beef mixture over the cornmeal, then pour the remaining cornmeal mixture on top.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and black olives over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, use lentils or more beans instead of beef. Adjust spice levels with cayenne or jalapeños as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: None
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
How to serve Texas Tamale Pie
Cut the pie into squares and serve warm. A simple green salad or steamed vegetables go well with it. For dessert after this savory dish, consider something sweet like salted caramel apple pie cheesecake.
How to store Texas Tamale Pie
Cool the pie to room temperature before storing. Put leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap slices in foil or put in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm, or microwave individual portions.
Tips to make Texas Tamale Pie
- Brown the beef well for more flavor.
- Drain excess fat to keep the filling from getting greasy.
- If the top browns too fast, cover loosely with foil near the end of baking.
- You can add a little extra milk to the cornmeal mix if it seems too thick.
- Need an easy dessert to make ahead? Try this pumpkin pie cheesecake to prepare earlier and serve after dinner.
Variations
- Make it vegetarian: use cooked lentils or more beans instead of beef.
- Add corn or bell pepper to the beef mix for more texture.
- Spice it up: add cayenne or chopped jalapeños for heat.
- Use pepper jack cheese for a spicier top.
FAQs
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
A: Yes. Ground turkey works fine. Brown it the same way and season as directed.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble it, cover, and keep in the fridge. Bake when you are ready. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time if it is cold from the fridge.
Q: Is cornmeal the same as corn flour?
A: No. Cornmeal is coarser. Use cornmeal for this recipe to get the right texture.
Q: Can I skip the olives?
A: Yes. Olives are optional and you can leave them out or replace them with sliced jalapeños.
Conclusion
Texas Tamale Pie is an easy, tasty dish that feeds a group and uses simple ingredients. It makes a warm, comforting meal on busy nights and stores well for leftovers. Try the variations and tips to match your taste.
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