Description
Texas Tamale Pie Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that combines seasoned ground beef, flavorful vegetables, and a cheesy cornbread topping baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make casserole delivers classic Tex-Mex flavors with a delightful texture contrast between the savory filling and fluffy cornbread crust, making it a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (4 oz) sliced black olives, drained
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cornbread Topping
- 1 package (8.5 oz) cornbread mix
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is fully cooked and the onion becomes translucent. Drain any excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Season and Combine Vegetables: Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the beef. Add the frozen corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and sliced black olives. Continue cooking for 5 more minutes to blend the flavors well. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Prepare Cornbread Batter: In a medium bowl, mix together the cornbread mix, milk, and egg, stirring until just combined to create a smooth batter.
- Assemble Layers: Spread the prepared beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer.
- Add Cornbread Topping: Pour the cornbread batter over the cheese layer, spreading it evenly to fully cover the filling.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes to set before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired, and serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Adding a diced jalapeño to the beef mixture can increase heat intensity for spice lovers.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat substitute.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Use mild or sharp cheddar cheese based on your flavor preference.
