Texas Tamale Pie (Printable Version)

Southwestern comfort food featuring seasoned beef and beans under a golden cornmeal crust topped with melted cheddar.

# Ingredients:

→ Protein & Produce

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

→ Canned & Pantry Items

04 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
05 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
06 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1 cup cornmeal

→ Dairy & Refrigerated

12 - 1 cup milk
13 - 1 large egg
14 - 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

→ Optional

15 - 1/2 cup black olives, sliced

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, milk, and egg until smooth and well combined.
05 - Pour half of the cornmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Layer the beef mixture over the cornmeal base, then top with remaining cornmeal mixture.
06 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and sliced black olives (if using) evenly over the top layer.
07 - Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and set.
08 - Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

# Notes:

01 - This Texas-style tamale pie combines traditional Tex-Mex flavors in a convenient casserole format. The cornmeal layers create a tamale-like texture while being much easier to prepare than traditional tamales.