Introduction:

Tamale pie is a delicious and hearty dish that combines the flavors of Mexican cuisine with the comfort of a baked casserole. This recipe takes the best aspects of traditional tamales and turns them into an easy-to-make pie, perfect for a weeknight dinner or even a festive potluck. Here’s our best tamale pie recipe, sure to satisfy your cravings for savory, spicy goodness.

Ingredients:

For the cornbread crust:

– 1 cup cornmeal

– 1 cup all-purpose flour

– 1/4 cup granulated sugar

– 2 tsp baking powder

– 1/2 tsp salt

– 1 cup whole milk

– 1/4 cup vegetable oil

– 1 egg

For the tamale filling:

– 1 tbsp olive oil

– 1 lb ground beef or turkey

– 1 small onion, chopped

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

– 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

– 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies, undrained

– 2 tsp chili powder

– 1 tsp cumin

– Salt and pepper, to taste

Toppings:

– Shredded cheddar cheese

– Sliced green onions

– Diced avocado

– Sour cream

Instructions:

Prepare the cornbread crust:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a deep-dish pie dish or a large cast iron skillet.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

3. In another bowl, mix together the milk, vegetable oil, and egg.

4. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ones, stirring until just combined. Set aside.

Prepare the tamale filling:

5. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

6. Add the ground beef or turkey, and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.

7. Stir in the chopped onion and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until softened.

8. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

9. Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, green chilies, chili powder, and cumin. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

10. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble and bake the tamale pie:

11. Spread about 2/3 of the cornbread batter evenly over the bottom of your prepared pie dish or cast iron skillet.

12. Spoon the tamale filling over the cornbread layer, spreading it out evenly.

13. Top the filling with dollops of the remaining cornbread batter.

14. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread layer comes out clean.

15. Let your tamale pie rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Serve and enjoy!

Your delicious tamale pie is ready! Cut it into slices and garnish it with shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, diced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

In conclusion, this tamale pie recipe offers a twist on traditional Mexican tamales by incorporating a cornbread crust instead of a masa dough wrapper. The result is a scrumptious casserole-style dish that is sure to become a family favorite wherever you serve it!