Texas tamale pie casserole is the kind of hearty, soul-warming dish that makes you want to gather the whole family around the table. If you love the flavors of tamales but don’t have the time (or patience) to roll them individually, this casserole is about to become your new best friend.
It’s got all the good stuff. Seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and a golden cornbread crust that’s absolutely to die for.
Trust me, once you make this, it’ll go straight into your weekly dinner rotation.
What Makes This Tamale Pie So Good
What I love about this recipe is how it captures everything you’d want in a tamale, without all the fuss.
The beef filling is loaded with Tex-Mex flavors. Think cumin, chili powder, taco seasoning, and just enough heat from the green chiles to make things interesting.
Then you’ve got that cornbread topping. It bakes up golden and slightly crispy on the outside while staying soft and moist underneath. Perfection.
And the cheese? A generous layer of melted cheddar ties the whole thing together. It’s comfort food at its finest.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this tamale pie is that it uses simple pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
For the filling, you’ll need ground beef, onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, black beans, corn, and green chiles. The taco seasoning brings all the spicy goodness together.
The cornbread topping couldn’t be easier. A box of cornbread mix, one egg, a splash of milk, and shredded cheddar cheese. That’s it!
For toppings, I love going all out with sour cream, fresh cilantro, jalapenos, and diced tomatoes. But you do you.
How to Make Texas Tamale Pie Casserole
Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet. You want it nice and crumbly with no pink left.
Toss in the diced onion and garlic, and cook until the onion softens. The smell alone will have everyone asking what’s for dinner!
Add the tomatoes, beans, corn, green chiles, and all the seasonings. Let it simmer for a few minutes so the flavors meld together.
Pour that incredible filling into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Mix up the cornbread batter with the cheese and spread it right over the top. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly even. It’ll spread out as it bakes.
Bake at 375°F until the cornbread is golden and cooked through, about 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and pop it back in the oven for 5 more minutes.
Let it cool for just a bit before digging in. I know it’s hard to wait, but that filling is hot!
Tips for the Best Tamale Pie
Make sure you drain the fat from the ground beef. Nobody wants a greasy casserole.
Don’t overmix the cornbread batter. A few lumps are totally fine and actually give you a better texture.
If you want a spicier pie, throw a diced jalapeno into the beef filling or use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. Game-changer!
This casserole reheats like a dream. Leftovers actually taste even better the next day once all those flavors have had time to hang out together.
What to Serve With Tamale Pie
A simple side salad with a lime vinaigrette pairs perfectly with this dish.
Mexican rice is always a solid choice. Or keep it easy with some tortilla chips and guacamole on the side.
For something lighter, roasted vegetables or a quick cilantro lime slaw work wonderfully too.
And don’t forget a cold glass of iced tea or a margarita if it’s that kind of evening!
Texas Tamale Pie Casserole
Ingredients
Beef Filling
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes (15 oz) undrained
- 1 can black beans (15 oz) drained and rinsed
- 1 can corn kernels (15 oz) drained
- 1 envelope taco seasoning mix or 3 tbsp homemade blend
- 1 can green chiles (4 oz) diced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Cornbread Topping
- 1 box cornbread mix (8.5 oz) such as Jiffy
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Toppings
- sour cream for serving
- sliced jalapenos optional
- fresh cilantro optional
- diced tomatoes optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion and garlic to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, green chiles, taco seasoning, cumin, and chili powder. Let it simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- In a bowl, mix together the cornbread mix, egg, milk, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Spread the batter evenly over the beef mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and bake for 5 more minutes until melted and bubbly. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Final Thoughts
This Texas tamale pie casserole is hands down one of the easiest and most satisfying dinners you can make.
It’s hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Your family is going to love it.
Whether it’s a busy weeknight or you’re feeding a crowd, this casserole fits the bill every single time. Give it a try!
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