Preview: Dig into this spicy Tamale Pie with a Cornbread Topping over a layer of ground beef, corn, tomato soup, and beans. No special occasion required.
This recipe for a big batch Texas Tamale Pie is spicy Tex-Mex comfort food at its best. It’s easy to make ahead of time and holds for hours, if necessary. It makes a lot (2 pounds of beef) but it’s wonderful leftover.
I’m not much for processed foods, but there are exceptions. Making Tamale pie is a lot easier if you use canned soup and canned beans. No need to add extra salt. You’ll get plenty out of the cans.
More about this recipe…
Even though there are cans of tomato soup and canned beans involved, the cornbread is from scratch. This makes for a fresher taste in my book.
The cornbread layer is also not as thick as in many tamale pie recipes. I like it that way–keeps the whole creation from becoming too dry.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Adjust seasonings to your personal tastes, especially the chili powder. I like to substitute smoky chipotle powder for some of the chili powder.
- GROUND BEEF: My beef of choice here is an 85/15 blend. This translates to only 15% fat so I rarely have to drain it after browning.
Substitute hot sausage for the beef to add more flavor. - SEASONINGS: Adjust seasonings to your personal tastes, especially the chili powder. I like to substitute smoky chipotle powder for some of the chili powder.
- OLIVES: The olives add lots of personality and salt to the party in this casserole. Olive haters can leave them out.
Substituting green olives for black olives will change the character of this recipe and is not recommended. - CORN: Use fresh, frozen, or canned corn.
- BEANS: My favorite beans for this recipe from first to last are Ranch-Style beans, pinto beans, black beans, and finally, kidney beans.
What can I serve with this recipe for Tamale Pie?
Because there is no cheese in the recipe, I like to serve Cheddar or Jack cheese on the side. Chips, salsa, guacamole or avocados, and sour green are also good. A green salad on the side completes the meal.
Can I make it ahead and freeze it?
You can freeze the prepared meat layer from 1-3 months. When you want to serve, heat it until bubbly all over. Meanwhile, mix up the cornbread layer and pour it over the top layer when it comes to a simmer. Bake according to the directions.
Pin the picture below to save for later.
More Tex-Mex recipes:
Green Chili Enchiladas
Green Chili Enchiladas are corn tortillas stuffed with ground beef, onions and Monterrey Jack cheese, then smothered in green chili sauce.
White Queso and Corn Dip
Southwestern seasoned corn mixed with melted white cheese make a spicy White Queso and Corn Dip to serve with corn or tortilla chips.
Texas Fiesta Bowls
Flour tortillas baked into the shape of a bowl and filled with a Tex-Mex meat mixture over rice or lettuce. Serve with cheese, avocados, tomatoes, and/or sour cream.
Baked Chili Relleno Casserole
A spicy Tex-Mex casserole mimicking the flavor of chili rellenos, but requiring a lot less time and trouble.
Did you enjoy this recipe? If so, you can help others and me by leaving a 5-star 🤩 rating inside the recipe below. No comments are required.
Hope to see you again soon!
Paula
p.s. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can email me privately: paula at saladinajar.com.
A Texas Tamale Pie Recipe with Cornbread Topping
Spicy Mexican vegetable and bean mixture topped with cornbread.
Ingredients
Bottom Layer
- 1-2 large onions, chopped
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3 cans condensed tomato soup or 4 small cans tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons chili powder (negotiable)
- 1/2 cup ripe olives, sliced
- 1 1/2 cup canned or frozen corn
- 2 cans ranch style or pinto beans
Cornbread Topping
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon soda
- 3/4 cup cornmeal (yellow or white)
- 1 cup buttermilk or thinned unflavored yogurt
- 1 beaten egg
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
Bottom Layer:
- Brown onion and meat. Drain off any fat. Add remaining ingredients and pour into two, 2-quart greased casseroles and cover.
- Bake at 325˚F for 1 1/4 hours.
Cornbread Topping:
- Combine the first five ingredients in a small bowl.
- Add buttermilk or yogurt, egg, and vegetable oil and stir just until combined. Remove the hot casserole from the oven. Spread the cornbread batter evenly over the top. Bake uncovered at 425˚F for 20 minutes. Serves 10 to 12.
Notes
*May be doubled for a large crowd.
*Want to use a crock pot? Prepare the meat and vegetable mixture and place in crock pot on LOW anywhere from 3-8 hours. When you walk in the door, preheat the oven, mix up the cornbread mixture and pop into the oven to finish baking.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 521Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 1137mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 6gSugar: 14gProtein: 33g
Stephanie
Thursday 26th of July 2012
As soon as I saw this picture on the 'Texas Fiesta Bowls' (Which I made, & really loved, served with yellow rice and really kept me full) I had to click the link! I will be making this soon, I love any cornbread and any kind of bean. I've only click a few recipes of yours but I love how they are so simple and never really ask for anything extravagant that I don't already have. Your site is awesome! Take care!
Paula
Saturday 28th of July 2012
Thanks Stephanie, so glad you found some recipes you like. Great to hear from you.
Ann Hastings
Tuesday 27th of October 2009
I'll have to make this recipe when it actaully gets cold here! Looks fantastic.
Nina
Monday 26th of October 2009
Paula--this looks *wonderful*. I am sure your guests appreciated it much! What a terrific dish to make for them. The cornbread layer looks really good. I *love* cornbread that is made with buttermilk...its the southern in me! ;)
FRESH LOCAL AND BEST
Sunday 25th of October 2009
Romaine,
I love how straightforward this recipe is and all of the spices you added to the chili! I'm looking forward to making this in the future. This is a wonderfully hearty Tex-Mex dish!
Christine
Debbie
Sunday 25th of October 2009
One question-how do you thin the yogurt?
Romaine
Sunday 25th of October 2009
Good question. With milk to the consistency of buttermilk.