Description

Texas Tamale Pie is a hearty and flavorful casserole that combines seasoned ground beef, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies, layered under a creamy cornmeal topping and baked to golden perfection. This dish is topped with melted cheddar cheese and optional black olives, making it a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

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Meat and Vegetables

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

Spices and Seasonings

1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cornmeal Batter

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup milk
1 large egg

Toppings and Garnishes

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the tamale pie.
Cook Meat and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion becomes soft, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Add Beans and Seasonings: Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Prepare Cornmeal Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, milk, and egg until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Assemble the Pie: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cornmeal batter into the dish and spread it evenly to form the base layer.
Add Beef Layer: Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the cornmeal base layer.
Top with Remaining Batter: Pour the remaining cornmeal mixture over the beef layer, spreading it evenly across the top.
Add Cheese and Olives: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and optional sliced black olives evenly over the top layer of cornmeal batter.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
Cool and Garnish: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish each serving with chopped fresh 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.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess and flavor contrast.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
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