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Tamale pie is bursting with spice and hearty meat with a fabulous crust of tamale goodness. It is a delicious easy-to-make one-pan meal!
Tamale pie comes together in just about 30 minutes and is served straight from the pan like our favorite Taco Casserole and Chile Relleno Casserole.
We Love Easy!
We adore tamales, but they sure are time-consuming, which is why we only make them once or twice a year.
However, I LOVE tamales and their flavors! Tamale pie is a casserole version of the traditional Mexican dish with much less work and way less time, making it an easier dinner idea.
Why we love it:
- Easy. This tamale pie recipe is an easy take on tamales, all the flavor, and half of the work!
- Packed with flavor. This recipe takes the classic tamale flavors and turns them into an easy delicious casserole version.
- One pot! This is made in one pot for easy cleanup!
Ingredients
- lean ground beef – or use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, or spice up the beef mixture by adding chorizo.
- red enchilada sauce – store-bought or Homemade Enchilada Sauce.
- green chilies
- chili powder
- cumin
- shredded cheddar cheese – or use pepper jack, Monterey jack, sharp cheddar cheese, or a blend of your favorites.
- corn muffin mix plus ingredients called for on the box – for example, an 8.5-ounce box of JIFFY Corn Muffin Mix lists 1 egg and ⅓ cup milk.
- Make it Gluten Free – As long as the cornbread topping mix is gluten-free then this dish will also be gluten-free.
How to Make Tamale Pie
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- BROWN. In a 10-inch oven-proof skillet, cook the ground beef, crumbling it into pieces as it cooks. When the ground beef is browned and cooked through, drain the grease.
- COMBINE. Add the enchilada sauce, one can of green chiles, the chili powder, and the cumin to the skillet, and stir to combine. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese on top.
- MUFFINS. Prepare the corn muffin mix according to the directions on the box, then stir in the remaining can of green chilies and the remaining ½ cup of cheese. Spread the batter in an even layer over the beef mixture in the large skillet.
- BAKE & SERVE. Bake 35-40 minutes, until golden brown on top and cooked through. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Top your slice of easy tamale pie with a dollop of sour cream.
Recipe Tips
- Variations – change it up by doing this:
- Jalapeños. For a pretty crust add sliced jalapeños to the top of the batter. They will bake beautifully into a browned flavorful crust.
- Add heat with diced fresh jalapeños or a bit of Tabasco sauce or chorizo.More flavor. Mix some diced onions, bell peppers, black olives, tomatoes, or black beans into the meat mixture. Add extra flavor with garlic salt and black pepper mixed into the cornbread mixture.
- Baking dish. A cast iron skillet creates the best texture but you can transfer the ground beef mixture to a casserole baking dish. Top with the cornbread batter and bake until the top has cooked through.
- Serving suggestions. This Mexican tamale pie goes perfectly with Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe, Mexican Street Corn Recipe, Black Bean and Corn Salsa, Sopapilla Cheesecake, or Guacamole.
Storing Info
- Make ahead of time. Prepare tamale pie the day before and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it. You can also freeze it.
- STORE. Divide leftovers into individual-sized portions. Store in an airtight, freezer safe if applicable, container. Pie can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 1-2 months.
- Reheat in the microwave, or transfer to an oven-safe dish and bake in the oven until hot.
- Make a freezer meal. Place the unbaked easy tamale pie recipe in the freezer until the top is solid, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and again with foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To bake from frozen. Heat the oven to 400°F and bake for 60 minutes. If the top begins to darken before it is finished cooking tent a piece of tin foil over it.
For More Mexican Casseroles:
Tamale Pie Recipe
Tamale pie is bursting with spice and hearty meat with a fabulous crust of tamale goodness. It is a delicious easy-to-make one-pan meal!
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce
- 2 (4-ounce) cans green chilies
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (8.5-ounce) box corn muffin mix plus ingredients called for on the box
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a 10-inch oven-proof skillet, cook the ground beef, crumbling it into pieces as it cooks. When the ground beef is browned and cooked through, drain the grease. Add the enchilada sauce, one can of green chilies, the chili powder, and the cumin to the skillet, and stir to combine. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese on top.
- Prepare the corn muffin mix according to the directions on the box, then stir in the remaining can of green chilies and the remaining ½ cup of cheese. Spread the batter in an even layer over the beef mixture in the skillet.
- Bake 35-40 minutes, until golden brown on top and cooked through. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 1423kcal, Carbohydrates: 215g, Protein: 37g, Fat: 45g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 22g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 3280mg, Potassium: 545mg, Fiber: 26g, Sugar: 66g, Vitamin A: 628IU, Vitamin C: 27mg, Calcium: 321mg, Iron: 9mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was the yummiest dinner! We cannot wait to make it again!
This is a fun recipe that I have never seen before! I made it this weekend and will definitely be making it again soon because it was so yummy!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it!
This was such a hit for Super Bowl Sunday! Thanks for the amazing recipe!
You’re welcome!! I’m glad it was a hit!
This was delicious! I used cupcake pans instead of a casserole dish! They made perfect appetizers topped with a dab of sour cream, sliced black olives and chopped green onion. SO yummy 😋 I also put them in my children’s lunch boxes! What a hit!!
Thanks for sharing your recipe😀❤️
So easy to make and so flavorful
I am so glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
My very picky daughter loves this and has asked for it again.
Hello,
I was wondering if yku yave a video. I am a visual learner and i love your recipes so much! I hated cooking until i found your weBsite. Thank you thank you thank you!!
I am sorry, I do not for this recipe. I am so glad you found my site. If you have any questions for this recipe, let me know how I can help!
love this, corn muffin mix a perfect with it, makes everthing easier, and tasty, thank you!
I have never tried this Tamale pie, sounds so good! Thank you for sharing the nice recipe!
Glad to share 🙂 Hope you try it & like it!