This one-pan tamale pie is an absolute classic comfort food recipe bursting with flavor and a buttery cornbread topping. It’s super easy to prepare, a favorite with the kids, and ready in just over an hour.
tamale pie featured
🌟 WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
This easy tamale pie recipe is one of those classic comfort foods that everyone loves. It’s the perfect meal to feed a hungry family on a busy weeknight, and it’s packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients.
Tamale pie is a combination of a delicious ground beef mixture flavored with spices, tomatoes, chilis, and cheese and a buttery tamale topping made with broth, masa, butter, and cheese. The result is an incredibly flavorful, hearty dish that’s sure to please the whole family.
The best part about this recipe is that all of the ingredients are cooked in one pan, so there’s literally no washing up involved. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time for a super quick meal.
It’s the perfect comforting pie recipe (without the fuss) that any home cook can make with a few pantry staples, some ground beef, and masa. And if you need more delicious pie recipes for your cookbook, try our easy shepherd’s pie, cheeseburger pie, beef pot pie, or chicken pot pie.
🍽 KEY INGREDIENTS
This tamale pie recipe calls for simple pantry ingredients and a skillet to get dinner on the table in no time. Here are the key ingredients you’ll need:
Tamale Pie – ingredients2
FOR THE MEAT MIXTURE
Ground beef – The delicious ground beef mixture is the star of this dish and requires lean ground beef for the base of this tamale pie.
Vegetables – This recipe calls for a sweet onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and corn.
Tomato – One can of crushed tomatoes adds a rich flavor and some moisture to the dish.
Green chilies – One can of diced green chilies adds just the right amount of heat.
Seasonings – Chile powder, cumin, and salt are the perfect combination of spices to bring out all the flavors in this dish.
Cheese – A good helping of shredded cheddar cheese will make this chili-type dish creamy and delicious.
INGREDIENTS
Chili:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
- 1 (10 oz.) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 (14 oz.) can kidney or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (14 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Cornbread Topping:
- 2 (8 oz.) packages cornbread mix
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 (8 oz.) can creamed corn
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated, optional
PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 400º F.
Heat olive oil in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and sauté onion until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
Add beef to onion and garlic mixture and cook until browned, 8-10 minutes, then season with chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and all beans and stir until mixed.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.
While chili simmers, prepare cornbread by whisking together cornbread mix, eggs and milk in a large bowl. Once combined, fold in creamed corn and cheddar cheese, if using.
Pour cornbread into skillet, on top of chili, and spread into an even layer.
Place skillet in oven and bake cornbread is cooked through and chili mixture is bubbling, 20-25 minutes. Serve hot. Enjoy!
