Tamale pie has beef in a zesty sauce topped with a simple cornbread topping and baked until fluffy and golden.

piece of Tamale Pie on a white plate

What is Tamale Pie?

A tamale is a delicious favorite, with a masa (corn) dough wrapped around meat and steamed in corn leaves until tender. This dish is definitely not a traditional tamale but plays on the corn and meat flavors.

This quick dish starts on the stovetop and is then baked to perfection with cheese.

We love tamale pie because it’s easy to make, inexpensive, and ready to go in less than an hour!

ingredients to make Tamale Pie

Ingredients and Variations

PROTEIN This is a super basic recipe with ground beef and cheese. Sub any favorite cheese, and feel free to use ground turkey or chicken in place of beef.

VEGGIES This recipe has corn of course, but it also works perfectly with leftover veggies, too! Try adding shredded zucchini, frozen diced veggies, a can of diced tomatoes, jalapenos, or sliced black olives.

TOPPINGS Top with sour cream, salsa, or even guacamole!

process of layering ingredients to make a Tamale Pie

How to Make Tamale Pie

Tamale Pie is short on prep time but big on taste!

  1. Brown Beef – Brown onion, beef, & garlic, drain fat (per recipe below).
  2. Make Sauce – Add taco seasoning & enchilada sauce. Place beef in a casserole dish.
  3. Mix Topping -Mix topping ingredients and spoon over beef mixture.
  4. Bake – Top with cheese and bake.

Tamale Pie before baking in a casserole dish

Tips for Success

A great tamale pie is hearty, flavorful, and filling!

  • For best results, as the ground meat is cooking, use a spatula to separate it so it is finely ground.
  • Adding egg to the cornbread topping mixture gives it structure and extra flavor.
  • Once tamale pie is cooked, it can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Reheat by placing it in a preheated oven, or microwaving a single portion. Adjust seasonings and serve it up again!
  • Freeze tamale pie in an airtight container and label the outside with the date on it. It stays tasty for 2 to 3 months. Let the tamale pie thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Tamale Pie in a casserole dish with a portion taken out

While the tamale pie is cooking, set out your favorite toppings including the sour cream, salsa, and guacamole!

More Ground Beef Casseroles

Did your family love this Tamale Pie? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

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piece of Tamale Pie on a white plate
5 from 126 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Tamale Pie

Tamale Pie is a Mexican-inspired one-pot dish full of ground beef, cornbread, and cheese!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6
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Ingredients  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 bell pepper diced, green or red
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¾ cup enchilada sauce
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided

Topping

  • 1 box corn muffin mix 8.5 oz
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup corn kernels canned, fresh, or frozen
  • cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • Combine beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a 10" ovenproof skillet. Cook until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
  • Add taco seasoning and ¼ cup water. Simmer until water evaporates. Stir in enchilada sauce. Top with 1 ½ cups of cheese.
  • Combine corn muffin mix, sour cream, corn, milk ,and egg. Spread over the beef mixture.
  • Top with remaining cheese and bake 35-40 minutes.
  • Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Notes

Tamale Pie can be refrigerated for up to 5 days in an airtight container. 
Reheat by microwaving a single portion. Adjust seasonings and serve it up again!
5 from 126 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 575 | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 998mg | Potassium: 450mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1508IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 353mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Beef, Casserole, Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Pie
Cuisine American, Mexican, Tex Mex
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plated Tamale Pie with writing
baked Tamale Pie in a casserole dish with a portion on a plate with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. Delish! Perfect blend of savory and sweet. Followed recipe exactly. Next time, I wouldn’t put the 1/2 C cheese on TOP of the cornbread, as it made for a little struggle to cut through with a fork. Will definitely be in the rotation and perfect comfort meal with friends or family.5 stars

  2. very simple, very tasty. good for easy meal. I had canned beef, leftover pork chops chopped. I even had alittle stuffing left over and added it(maybe about 1/4.)5 stars