Easy Cheesy Tamale Pie
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese
grated
- Cilantro
chopped, for serving
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9-inch pie dish with butter or nonstick spray. Set aside.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. Add egg, sour cream, corn, and milk and stir to combine.
- 3
Pour mixture into pie dish and bake for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the beef:
- 4
In a skillet over medium heat, season beef with chili powder, salt, cumin, oregano, onion powder, and garlic powder and cook until no longer pink.
- 5
Poke cornbread layer all over with a fork and drizzle with enchilada sauce.
- 6
Top with ground beef and shredded cheese and return to oven. Bake until sauce is bubbly and top is golden brown, 10-15 minutes more.
- 7
Let cool five minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Easy Cheesy Tamale Pie
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About this Recipe
Craving hearty, comforting tamale flavors without the fuss? This Easy Cheesy Tamale Pie brings that homecooked taste right to your table, perfect for even your busiest weeknights. It's a clever shortcut to classic tamale satisfaction, designed for ease and incredible flavor.
What makes this dish truly special is its clever layering: a tender, savory ground beef filling infused with classic Tex-Mex spices, topped with a rich enchilada sauce and a golden, cheesy cornmeal crust. This recipe is designed to deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort, transforming a multi-step process into a streamlined, family-friendly meal.
Prepare for a symphony of textures and tastes that will bring a smile to everyone at the table. You'll first encounter the robust, well-seasoned ground beef, brightened by sweet corn kernels and deeply flavored with chili powder, cumin, and oregano, all enveloped in a tangy, savory enchilada sauce. Then comes the fluffy yet substantial cornmeal topping, which bakes up golden and crisp at the edges, offering a delightful counterpoint to the rich filling. Finally, the melty, gooey Monterey Jack cheese crowns the pie, adding a luxurious, creamy finish. It’s a truly comforting, satisfying dish that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a perfect hearty meal.
This recipe offers flexibility to suit your pantry or preferences. Feel free to adjust the spice profile by adding a pinch more chili powder or ground cumin for an extra kick, or reduce it for a milder taste. If Monterey Jack cheese isn't on hand, a sharp cheddar or a Mexican blend would also melt beautifully over the top, providing a similar satisfying, cheesy layer.
This Easy Cheesy Tamale Pie is an ideal candidate for a comforting weeknight dinner, perfect for feeding a hungry family. Serve it straight from the oven, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro, perhaps alongside a simple green salad to complete the meal.