Cornbread Tamale Pie
A hearty and flavorful casserole combining seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and a savory cornbread topping. Perfect for comforting family dinners or potlucks, this dish offers a delicious blend of savory, spicy, and sweet flavors with a satisfying texture. Easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef ⓘ
- 1 large onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 can tomato soup ⓘ
- 2 c water ⓘ
- 1 tsp salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp pepper ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp flour ⓘ
- 1 beaten egg ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp salt ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp chili powder ⓘ
- 1 c whole kernel corn, drained ⓘ
- 1/2 c chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 3/4 c cornmeal ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp sugar ⓘ
- 1/3 c milk ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and chopped onion in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the tomato soup, water, salt, pepper, chili powder, corn, and chopped green pepper to the skillet.
- Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, combine the cornmeal, sugar, and milk to make the cornbread batter.
- Pour the beef mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Spread the cornbread batter evenly over the beef mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture. If you're out of cornmeal, polenta can be a suitable substitute for the cornbread topping. You can also use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option. Always taste and adjust seasoning to your preference before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish with a side of fresh salad or guacamole for a refreshing contrast to the hearty pie. It pairs beautifully with 4-Alarm Chili for a complete meal. You can also top it with shredded cheese or fresh cilantro just before serving for added flavor and color.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Cornbread Tamale Pie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or cover the entire dish with foil and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cornbread Tamale Pie contains roughly 613 calories, with 16g protein, 113g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (87% of the Daily Value), protein (32% of the Daily Value), and calcium (29% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1807mg per serving (79% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the beef mixture and cornbread batter the night before. Store them separately in the refrigerator and assemble just before baking. This will save you time and allow the flavors to meld nicely.
Can I freeze Cornbread Tamale Pie?
Yes, this dish freezes well! Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
What can I use instead of tomato soup?
If you don't have tomato soup, you can substitute it with a can of diced tomatoes or a homemade tomato sauce. Just remember to adjust the seasoning as needed, since canned tomatoes might be less concentrated in flavor than soup.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).