Tamale Pie
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Calories
653 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Tamale Pie
Description
This Tamale Pie recipe features a robust ground beef filling cooked with onions, diced green chiles, creamed corn, enchilada sauce, and spices including chili powder, coriander, and cumin. The combination simmers until flavorful, then cheese is stirred in before the topping is added. The topping is a masa harina dough prepared with baking powder, salt, chicken broth, milk, melted butter, and cheese that provides a cornbread-like crust.
The dish is baked until the masa topping is set and slightly golden, forming a firm but tender contrast to the rich meat filling below. The layers offer varying textures, with the savory and slightly spicy filling complemented by the creamy, cheesy topping. The optional additions such as avocado and sour cream add freshness and cooling contrasts.
Tamale Pie is a hearty one-dish meal suitable for dinner, bringing traditional tamale flavors in an easy-to-assemble casserole. It can be baked directly in the skillet used for cooking the beef or transferred to an ovenproof pan. Variations include substituting beans for meat to make a vegetarian version or adding extra vegetables into the beef mixture.
Make ahead options include preparing the beef filling in advance and refrigerating it, then adding the masa topping before baking. The assembled and baked pie freezes well when wrapped properly and can be reheated by thawing in the refrigerator and baking again.
Ingredients
Meat Filling:
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef lean
- 1 yellow onion , finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 10 oz can Red Enchilada Sauce , or homemade
- 1 can creamed corn
- 8 oz can diced green chiles
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 1/2 cups cheese shredded
Masa Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups masa harina (corn flour)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup chicken broth low-sodium
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1/2 cup cheese shredded
Optional Topping Ideas:
- avocado
- sour cream
- cilantro
- hot sauce
Instructions
- Cook ground beef in a deep 12-inch skillet* or cast iron pan, crumbling it into small pieces as it cooks, until browned. Add diced onion, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 3 minutes.
- Add enchilada sauce, corn, chiles, chili powder, coriander, and cumin and cook for 5-10 minutes. Taste and add additional spices (chili powder, cumin, salt or pepper), as desired. Stir in cheese.
- Make Topping: Mix the corn flour, baking powder and salt together. Stir in the chicken broth, milk, butter and cheese. Pour evenly over the top of meat mixture.
- Bake 400 degrees for 40 min. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
- Top with avocado and sour cream, if desired.
Notes
- The tamale pie can be baked directly in the skillet used for cooking the beef or in a similar 9x9 inch pan.
- Vegetarian option: substitute meat with two cans of pinto or black beans for protein.
- Use boxed cornbread mix as a shortcut for the masa topping, prepared according to package instructions.
- Enhance flavor by trying diced jalapeños or chipotle chilies in adobo as a substitute for green chiles.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, grated carrots, olives, or peas to the meat filling if desired.
- The beef mixture can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for 1-2 days; reheat before topping and baking.
- Tamale pie freezes well for up to 3 months, either before or after baking; thaw in fridge before reheating.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 653 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 653kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 41g | 82% |
| Fat | 35g | 54% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 151mg | 50% |
| Sodium | 1718mg | 72% |
| Potassium | 780mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 1370IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 19mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 434mg | 43% |
| Iron | 7mg | 39% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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