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.
🌟 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:
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.
For the tamale top
Masa - Corn flour (masa) is a traditional staple used in tamales and adds an amazing texture and flavor to the dish.
Baking powder - This helps the topping rise and become fluffy.
Chicken broth - This adds moisture so the tamale topping won't be dry or crumbly.
Butter - The melted butter adds flavor and richness to the top layer of the tamale pie.
Cheese - The extra cheddar cheese on top adds a delicious cheesy flavor and crunch.
Substitutions
If you need to make some swaps in this tamale pie, here are a few substitution ideas:
Ground beef
Ground turkey can be used instead of ground beef.
Tomatoes
If you don't have crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes or tomato sauce can be used instead.
Green chilies
Use jalapenos for a more intense spiciness.
Masa
Cornmeal can be used in place of the masa for the tamale topping. You can also use a cornbread mix like Jiffy cornbread mix to make the topping or jiffy corn muffin mix.
Chicken broth
Vegetable or beef broth can be used in place of chicken broth.
🔪 How to make
Making tamale pie is a breeze! This simple recipe only requires one skillet and about an hour of cooking time. Follow these easy steps to get a delicious meal on the table in less than hour.
Preparations
- Finely dice the sweet onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
Cooking instructions
Step 1
Place a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef for a few minutes, breaking it up into pieces as it browns.
Step 2
Once browned, move it to one side of the pan and sauté the chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
Step 3
Add the crushed tomatoes, frozen corn, green chiles, chili powder, cumin, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
Tip: Stir well to incorporate the ingredients, then add the chicken broth and butter. Whisk until you have a smooth consistency before stirring in the cheese.
Step 4
Mix the corn flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
Step 5
Pour the cornbread batter over the meat mixture and spread it evenly across the skillet, covering the edges.
Step 6
Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake the tamale pie for 35 - 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Once the cornbread becomes golden and firm, remove it from the oven.
Step 7
Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions!
💭 Cooking tips
Using a casserole dish
If your skillet isn't oven friendly, just pour the beef mixture into a casserole or baking dish and then top it with the masa topping.
Checking the cornbread topping
To check if the topping is thoroughly cooked, insert a toothpick into the cornbread, and if the stick comes out clean, it is ready.
📖 Recipe Variations
Tamale pie is an incredibly versatile dish that you can customize to your own liking. Here are some delicious variations to make this classic favorite even better!
Tex-Mex tamale pie
Upgrade your average tamale pie recipe with some Mexican spice by swapping the crushed tomatoes for a can of enchilada sauce and adding a can of pinto beans, ¼ cup of diced jalapenos, and 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning for an extra kick of flavor.
Creamy corn tamale pie
For a creamy tamale pie, add ½ cup of cream cheese to the beef mixture and use 1 can of creamed corn instead of frozen. Top with Mexican crema or sour cream before serving.
🥗 What to serve with
Tamale Pie is a meal in itself, but you can add more flavor and color to it with some garnishes like cilantro, sour cream, and hot sauce or pair it with some tasty side dishes:
Bread
Like all good stews and tasty pies with delicious gravy, they need some bread to mop up all that goodness. Pair your tamale pie with some spicy jalapeno cheddar cornbread or some garlicky pull-apart cheesy garlic knots.
Tacos
If you want to add some crunch and spice, tacos are the way to go. Serve it with some classic fried tacos or beefy tacos, or switch it up and try a cheese quesadilla.
Pasta
A side of taco spaghetti is the perfect way to add some Mexican flair to your tamale pie. And why not my Mexican street corn dip recipe to pair with this tamale pie.
🙋 Frequently asked questions
How do I know when the tamale pie is done baking?
You'll know the tamale pie is done baking when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Can I make tamale pie in advance?
Yes, tamale pie is great for make-ahead meals. Prepare the tamale pie according to the recipe and cool it completely. Then cover and refrigerate up to two days in advance or freeze for up to three months.
🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating
You can store and reheat any leftover tamale pie from dinner once cooled:
Fridge - Transfer the tamale pie to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer - Place any leftover tamale pie into a freezer-safe storage container and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating - Reheat in a 350°F preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until hot. Alternatively, you can reheat the tamale pie on the stovetop over low heat. Be sure to stir often to avoid burning.
🍳 More Mexican Recipes
They're sure to become family favorites! Another fantastic idea to share with family is my Mexican Loaded Bell Peppers recipe. Check it out!
👪 Serving size
This is the perfect tamale pie recipe that serves 4 people.
There you have it! With a few simple ingredients and some creative additions, you can make a delicious tamale pie that everyone will love. Serve it up with your favorite sides, or simply enjoy the Mexican-inspired flavors all on their own. No matter how you serve it, you're sure to be pleased with this easy and flavorful dish.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Try one of my comfort dinner recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!
📋 Recipe
Best Ever Tamale Pie Recipe
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 1½ pounds Ground beef
- 1 Sweet onion - peeled and chopped
- 1 Red bell pepper - seeded and chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic - minced
- 1 cup Frozen corn
- 15 ounces Crushed tomatoes - 1 can
- 4 ounces Chopped green chiles - 1 can
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons Chile powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1½ cups Cheddar cheese - shredded
For the Tamale Top:
- 2¼ cups Corn flour - masa
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2+ cups Chicken broth
- ½ cup Melted butter
- ½ cup Cheddar cheese - shredded
Instructions
Preparations
- Finely dice the sweet onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
Filling
- Place a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef for a few minutes, breaking it up into pieces as it browns.
- Once browned, move it to one side of the pan and sauté the chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, frozen corn, green chiles, chili powder, cumin, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Once mixed, remove from heat and set aside.
Tamale Top
- In a mixing bowl, combine the corn flour (masa), baking powder, and salt.
- dd the chicken broth and melted butter, stirring until you achieve a smooth, spreadable batter. Then, fold in ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Assembly and Baking
- Pour the cornbread batter over the meat mixture and spread it evenly across the skillet, covering the edges.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake the tamale pie for 35 - 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Once the cornbread becomes golden and firm, remove it from the oven.
- Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions!
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