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Easy Weeknight Texas Tamale Pie: Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole with Golden Cornbread Topping

A thick slice of tamale pie showing a layer of seasoned ground meat topped with cornbread and melted cheddar cheese.
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Make this easy Texas Tamale Pie for a comforting, Tex-Mex inspired family dinner. This hearty casserole layers seasoned ground beef and corn under a cheesy, golden cornbread crust. It is a simple one-dish dinner perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 (10 ounce) can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 package (8.5 ounces) corn muffin mix (Jiffy brand suggested)
  • Ingredients to prepare corn muffin mix according to package directions (usually milk and eggs)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir in the Ro-Tel, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted into the filling. Spread this beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Prepare the corn muffin mix according to the package directions, using the required milk and eggs.
  7. Pour the prepared corn muffin batter evenly over the beef filling in the baking dish.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the batter.
  9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. Let the Tamale Pie rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute sour cream for some of the milk in the cornbread batter.
  • Serve this hearty baked dinner with your favorite toppings like sour cream, salsa, or fresh cilantro.
  • You can prepare the beef filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before assembling and baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/easy-tamale-pie-comfort-food-casserole/