Savory Vegetarian Tamale Casserole
This Savory Vegetarian Tamale Casserole is a delightful one-dish wonder that combines vibrant flavors and hearty ingredients, making it a perfect dinner solution for busy weeknights. Layers of seasoned beans mingling with a moist, cornbread-like topping create a satisfying meal that's sure to please both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. Pair it with a fresh salad, crispy corn chips, and your favorite salsa for a complete dinner experience. It’s also a wonderful way to utilize leftover ingredients from other meals, like the delicious Recipe #253261!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Poblano Pepper
1 (chopped (about 3/4 cup))
Sweet Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Garlic Cloves
2 (minced)
Cooking Oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Kidney Beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and slightly mashed)
Pinto Beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and slightly mashed)
V8 Vegetable Juice
1 (6 ounce) can
Chipotle Chile in Adobo
1 tablespoon (chopped & seeded (canned))
Cilantro
1/4 cup (snipped)
Chili Powder
1 teaspoon
Cumin
1 teaspoon
Yellow Cornmeal
1/2 cup
Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 cup
Baking Soda
1 teaspoon
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Egg
1
Buttermilk
1/2 cup
Chopped Green Chili Peppers
1 (4 ounce) can
Cooking Oil
2 tablespoons
Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Grease a 10-inch quiche dish or a 2-quart baking dish and set aside.
3
In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped poblano pepper, onion, and minced garlic; sauté until the vegetables are tender but not browned, about 5-7 minutes.
4
In the skillet, stir in the drained and slightly mashed kidney and pinto beans, V8 vegetable juice, chipotle chili, chili powder, cumin, and chopped cilantro. Heat the mixture until warmed through, about 3-5 minutes, then remove from heat.
5
Spoon the seasoned bean mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
6
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt.
7
In another bowl, combine the egg, buttermilk, chopped green chilis, and 2 tablespoons of oil until well blended. Then, gently fold this mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined.
8
Pour the cornmeal batter evenly over the bean mixture in the baking dish, spreading it out gently.
9
Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese on top of the batter.
10
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11
Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into portions. Serve warm with a salad, corn chips, and salsa.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Vegetarian Tamale Casserole?
It is a one-dish meal featuring seasoned beans topped with a moist, cornbread-like layer and melted cheese.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed as a savory vegetarian meal.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
You should preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
What size baking dish is needed?
A 10-inch quiche dish or a 2-quart baking dish is recommended.
How do I prepare the poblano pepper?
The poblano pepper should be chopped, yielding about 3/4 cup.
What type of onion should be used?
The recipe calls for one medium sweet onion, chopped.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the pepper, onion, and garlic for 5-7 minutes until tender.
What types of beans are used in the filling?
The filling uses 15-ounce cans of both kidney beans and pinto beans.
Should the beans be drained before use?
Yes, both types of beans should be drained and slightly mashed.
What is the liquid base for the bean mixture?
A 6-ounce can of V8 vegetable juice is used to moisten the bean layer.
How much chipotle chili is required?
Use 1 tablespoon of chopped and seeded canned chipotle chili in adobo.
Does this recipe include fresh herbs?
Yes, it includes 1/4 cup of snipped fresh cilantro.
What spices are used for the bean seasoning?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of chili powder and 1 teaspoon of cumin.
How do I prepare the dry ingredients for the topping?
Whisk together 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
What are the wet ingredients for the cornbread topping?
Combine 1 egg, 1/2 cup buttermilk, a 4-ounce can of green chilis, and 2 tablespoons of oil.
How do I combine the topping ingredients?
Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined.
Is the cheese mixed into the batter?
No, the 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese is sprinkled on top of the batter before baking.
How long does the casserole take to bake?
It should bake for 25-30 minutes.
How can I tell if the casserole is done?
It is done when it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Should the dish be covered while baking?
No, bake the casserole uncovered.
How much oil is used in total?
A total of 3 tablespoons of cooking oil is used: 1 for sautéing and 2 for the batter.
Can I use leftover ingredients in this dish?
Yes, it is a great way to use leftovers, specifically suggesting Recipe #253261.
What should I serve with the tamale casserole?
It pairs well with a fresh salad, corn chips, and your favorite salsa.
Is this dish spicy?
It has a mild to moderate heat from the poblano, chipotle, and green chilis.
Can I use whole wheat flour for this?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour for the topping.
Is this a good weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is described as a perfect dinner solution for busy weeknights.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, grease the dish before adding the bean mixture.
Does the recipe use garlic?
Yes, it uses 2 minced garlic cloves.
How long should it cool before serving?
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing into portions.