Description
Texas Tamale Pie Casserole is a comforting, hearty southwestern dish that layers seasoned ground beef with creamy cornbread and tangy tomato sauce. Perfect for family meals and gatherings, this casserole combines bold flavors and simple ingredients to create a filling, crowd-pleasing one-dish wonder with a golden, cheesy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio recommended)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup tomato sauce or 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
For the Cornbread Topping
- 1 cup cornmeal (certified gluten-free if needed)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) butter, melted
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
For the Topping
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or a blend)
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: Sauté the diced onions and minced garlic in a pan over medium heat until fragrant and translucent. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Pour in tomato sauce or diced tomatoes and let the mixture simmer for several minutes to meld the flavors.
- Make the cornbread batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add the melted butter, milk, and beaten eggs, stirring just until combined. The batter should be slightly thick but pourable.
- Layer the casserole: Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef filling evenly on the bottom. Pour the cornbread batter over the beef, spreading it to cover every corner. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top for a golden, melty finish.
- Bake to perfection: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the casserole for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean. Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before slicing to let the layers set.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for a juicy filling without excessive grease.
- Do not overmix the cornbread batter to avoid a dense crust.
- The casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Let it cool slightly before serving for easier slicing and cleaner portions.
- Experiment with cheese types by mixing cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for added flavor variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg