Description
A comforting Southwestern classic, Texas Tamale Pie Casserole features a savory seasoned ground beef filling layered with corn and black beans, topped with a golden, cheesy cornbread crust. This one-pan meal is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, offering a delicious blend of Tex-Mex flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus extra for topping
- 0.5 cup diced tomatoes (for garnish)
- 0.25 cup sour cream (for garnish)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and sauté diced onions for 2–3 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add tomato sauce, corn, and black beans. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a small bowl, combine milk, egg, and melted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spoon the cornbread batter evenly over the meat filling in the skillet. Smooth the top gently. Sprinkle with additional cheddar cheese if desired.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Let the Texas Tamale Pie Casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Top with diced tomatoes, sour cream, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro. Serve warm.
Notes
- Prepare the meat filling a day in advance and refrigerate it for quicker assembly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking for easier slicing.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melting and texture.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in the cornbread topping.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or additional beans and vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
