Description
Texas Tamale Pie is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring a savory ground beef and black bean filling layered between two smooth cornmeal crusts, topped with melted cheddar cheese and optional black olives. This oven-baked casserole combines classic Tex-Mex spices with wholesome ingredients for a comforting meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cornmeal Crust
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the tamale pie.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat to maintain leaner quality.
- Add Beans and Spices: Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to meld flavors together.
- Prepare Cornmeal Batter: In a separate bowl, combine cornmeal, milk, and egg, whisking until the batter is smooth and uniform.
- Assemble Pie – Bottom Layer: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cornmeal batter into the dish and spread evenly to form the bottom crust.
- Layer Beef Mixture: Spoon the beef and bean filling evenly over the cornmeal bottom layer.
- Top with Remaining Cornmeal Batter: Pour the remaining cornmeal mixture over the beef filling, covering it completely.
- Add Cheese and Olives: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Add sliced black olives if using.
- Bake the Pie: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and set.
- Cool and Garnish: Let the tamale pie cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with a mix of sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini.
- Add a layer of sliced jalapeños for extra heat or serve with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6th of the pie)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
