Tamale Pie

This is our version of Tamale Pie that my husband came up with many years ago. He looked through the cupboards one night and put this recipe together with what we had. He did a great job and this tamale pie has become something that is always in our dinner rotation. We probably make it about every month or so.

Of course, it's nothing like a pie. It's more of a Mexican type casserole. I like our version because it comes together quickly. We use chunky salsa, so there's no chopping onions, tomatoes or peppers. Be sure to use the chunky kind, not picante sauce which doesn't have the larger chunks of vegetables and will make this dish turn out too liquid-y on the bottom.

Recipe Link
Ingredients
1 lb. lean hamburger meat
1 packet or 1/4 cup taco seasoning
3/4 cup water
1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans*, drained
2 cups chunky salsa (we like Pace medium)
1 (8 oz.) brick cheddar cheese, grated OR 2 cups of packaged shredded cheese (we like sharp)
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup yellow corn meal
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
sour cream and chopped green onion, if desired for garnish
Directions
1. Cook ground beef in large fry pan on stove until browned. Drain extra grease. Add taco seasoning and water. Let cook about 5 minutes to thicken.
2. Add beans and salsa to ground beef. Stir. Pour mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Sprinkle grated cheese evenly over top of meat/bean mixture.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, corn meal, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir in milk, oil and egg. Mix just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour corn meal batter over cheese in the 9x13 baking dish. Spread it out evenly without disturbing the cheese or meat layer beneath.
5. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about  35-40 mins.* or until cornbread layer on top is golden brown and cooked through. Let cool slightly before serving. Add a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle chopped green onion on top of each serving, if desired.

Notes: *You can use black beans instead of kidney beans, if you like. 
Also, every oven bakes differently. Your baking time may be different from mine.

Source my husband




The Results...
Fresh, warm homemade cornbread baked on top of a melted cheese layer with a slighty spicy beef and bean mixture on the bottom. This Tamale Pie has been a favorite dinner for years at our house. It's not complicated to put together and it bakes in the oven for about 40 minutes which is nice in the fall/winter months. The house warms up and smells wonderful while your wait for dinner. Enjoy!

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