Cheesy Tamale Pie with Savory Cornmeal Crust
Indulge in a delightful twist on traditional Mexican tamales with this Cheesy Tamale Pie. Featuring a rich filling of seasoned ground beef, kidney beans, vibrant bell peppers, and zesty tomatoes, all topped with a savory cornmeal crust and melted sharp cheddar cheese. This dish is the perfect crowd-pleaser for potlucks or family gatherings. Serve alongside a fresh salad, a dollop of sour cream, and creamy guacamole for the ultimate feast. Don't forget to pair it with refreshing margaritas or an ice-cold beer for a festive touch!
12
Servings
300
Calories
26
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
4 teaspoons (for sautéing)
bell pepper
1 medium (diced)
onion
1 medium (diced)
ground beef (or beef and pork mixture)
1/2-1 1/2 lb (uncooked)
ground cumin
1 tablespoon
ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon
oregano
1/2 teaspoon
pepper
1/2 teaspoon
kidney beans
1 (19 ounce) can (rinsed and drained)
crushed tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) can
salsa
1/2 cup (hot preferred)
tomato paste
2 ounces
black olives
1/2 cup
hot pepper sauce
to taste
beer
1/4 cup
yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 cups
flour
1 cup
baking powder
1 teaspoon
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/4 teaspoon
yogurt
1 1/4 cups
eggs
2
olive oil
2 tablespoons
sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup (shredded)
scallion
1/2 cup (sliced)
jalapeño
1-2 (diced finely)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 13x9x2 inch baking dish.
2
In a large skillet, heat 4 teaspoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced bell peppers and onions, sautéing until tender, about 5 minutes.
3
Add the ground beef (or beef and pork mixture) to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
4
Stir in the ground cumin, coriander, oregano, pepper, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, salsa, tomato paste, black olives, hot pepper sauce, and the remaining 1/4 cup of beer. Mix until combined and heated through. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking dish and set aside.
5
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
6
In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, eggs, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil until smooth. Stir in 3/4 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, sliced scallions, and finely diced jalapeño.
7
Add the yogurt mixture to the dry cornmeal mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
8
Spread the cornmeal mixture evenly over the beef filling in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
13
Fat
28
Carbs
19
Protein
3.5
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Tamale Pie with Savory Cornmeal Crust?
It is a delightful twist on traditional Mexican tamales featuring a filling of seasoned ground beef, kidney beans, bell peppers, and tomatoes, topped with a savory cornmeal crust and melted sharp cheddar cheese.
How many servings does this tamale pie recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
You should preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
What size baking dish should I use?
A greased 13x9x2 inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
What type of meat is used in the filling?
The recipe calls for 1/2 to 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef, or a mixture of ground beef and pork.
How long do I need to sauté the vegetables?
The diced bell peppers and onions should be sautéed in olive oil for about 5 minutes until tender.
What spices are included in the beef filling?
The filling is seasoned with ground cumin, ground coriander, oregano, and pepper.
Does the recipe include any beans?
Yes, it includes one 19-ounce can of kidney beans that have been rinsed and drained.
Is there alcohol in the recipe?
Yes, 1/4 cup of beer is added to the filling mixture.
What ingredients are in the cornmeal crust?
The crust consists of yellow cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, yogurt, eggs, olive oil, sharp cheddar cheese, scallions, and jalapeños.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 300 calories per serving.
How much protein does a serving contain?
Each serving provides 19 grams of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 13 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 28 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe high in fiber?
Each serving contains about 3.5 grams of fiber.
What type of cheese is best for this dish?
Sharp cheddar cheese is recommended for both the crust and the topping.
How long does the Tamale Pie bake for?
Bake it in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
How do I know when the pie is done?
The pie is done when the top is golden and bubbly.
Are there olives in this tamale pie?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 cup of black olives in the filling.
Can I make this dish spicy?
Yes, you can use hot salsa, add hot pepper sauce to taste, and include 1-2 finely diced jalapeños in the crust.
What should I serve with this meal?
It is suggested to serve it with a fresh salad, a dollop of sour cream, and creamy guacamole.
What are the recommended drink pairings?
Refreshing margaritas or an ice-cold beer are suggested pairings.
Should I overmix the cornmeal batter?
No, stir the yogurt mixture into the dry ingredients gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Is this dish suitable for a potluck?
Yes, the description highlights it as a perfect crowd-pleaser for potlucks or family gatherings.
Does the recipe use tomato paste?
Yes, 2 ounces of tomato paste are used to enrich the filling.
What kind of yogurt is used?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of yogurt to be mixed into the crust.
How much salsa is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of salsa, with hot salsa being the preferred choice.
Do I need to brown the meat before baking?
Yes, the ground beef should be browned in a skillet for about 5 minutes before adding other filling ingredients.
How many jalapeños are used?
The recipe suggests using 1 to 2 finely diced jalapeños.
Should the pie cool before serving?
Yes, the instructions recommend allowing the pie to cool slightly before serving.