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The Best Tamale Pie

Print Recipe
Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Mexican, Texmex

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs Ground beef
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, minced or grated
  • 4 Green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 Jalapeno, seeded and sliced or chopped
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground cumin
  • 1/2 Tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 -1 Tsp Julios all purpose seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp Chili powder, I use New Mexico red chile powder
  • 15 oz Can tomato sauce
  • 1 Cup Frozen or canned (drained) whole kernel corn
  • 1 Small can Sliced black olives, optional
  • 1 Cup Sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • Cheddar cheese or Monterrey jack for topping
  • fresh cilantro chopped

For the Cornmeal Topping

  • 1 Cup Yellow cornmeal
  • 2 1/2 Cups Water, salted (about 1 tsp)
  • 2 Tbsp Butter

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to to 375 degrees F. Butter a medium large casserole dish.
    Heat a large skillet and add the ground beef. I used 80/20 so I didn’t add extra oil, but if you’re using a lean ground beef you probably need to add a little oil to your skillet.
  • When your meat has started to brown, add your onions, bell peppers, green onions, garlic and jalapeños. Cook until your onions are translucent and your meat is completely cooked.
  • Add your seasonings and the tomato sauce. Cook until heated through and your spices are well mixed. Add the corn and olives if using. Now add the 1 cup cheddar cheese and combine.
  • Add the beef mixture to the buttered casserole dish.
  • Bring salted water to a boil and whisk in the cornmeal whisking constantly. If the mixture is too thick, add hot water a little at a time and continue to whisk until a smooth, spreadable, kind of pourable, mixture results. Remove from the heat and add 2 tablespoons butter and whisk until melted. I like my topping a little soft, not dry.
  • Spread the cornmeal mixture over the meat mixture, completely covering. Place in the oven and cook until bubbly on the sides and the topping has set. Remove from the oven and add additional cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese. Sprinkle with a little chile powder if you like and chopped cilantro. Enjoy!
Keyword baked chicken meatballs, best tamale pie, casserole, cheesey, cornmeal topping, tamale pie