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Tamale Pie Recipe

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4.3 from 59 reviews

This hearty Tamale Pie recipe features a flavorful ground beef filling simmered with enchilada sauce, corn, diced green chiles, and warm spices, topped with a fluffy masa harina crust and melted cheese. Baked to golden perfection, this dish offers a comforting southwestern-inspired meal that's perfect for family dinners. Serve with optional toppings like avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and hot sauce for added freshness and heat.

Ingredients

Meat Filling:

  • 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 10 oz can red enchilada sauce
  • 1 can creamed corn
  • 8 oz can diced green chiles
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheese

Masa Topping:

  • 1 ½ cups Masa Harina (corn flour)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • ½ cup shredded cheese

Optional Toppings:

  • Avocado
  • Sour cream
  • Cilantro
  • Hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meat Filling: In a deep 12-inch skillet or cast iron pan, cook the lean ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart until browned. Add the finely chopped yellow onion, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then sauté together for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
  2. Simmer the Filling: Stir in the red enchilada sauce, creamed corn, diced green chiles, chili powder, ground coriander, and ground cumin. Continue cooking the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra chili powder, cumin, salt, or pepper as desired. Once fully seasoned, fold in 1 ½ cups shredded cheese until melted and combined.
  3. Make the Masa Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the masa harina, baking powder, and kosher salt. Gradually stir in the low-sodium chicken broth, milk, melted butter, and ½ cup shredded cheese until the batter is smooth and well mixed.
  4. Assemble the Pie: Pour the masa topping evenly over the meat filling in the skillet, spreading it gently to cover the mixture completely.
  5. Bake the Pie: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Place the skillet or transfer the mixture to a baking dish if your skillet is not oven-safe, then bake uncovered for 40 minutes, until the masa topping is golden and set.
  6. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the tamale pie to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with optional toppings such as sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, or a dash of hot sauce to brighten the dish.

Notes

  • Use a cast iron skillet or an oven-safe deep skillet to cook and bake the entire dish in one vessel.
  • For a spicier version, increase the amount of diced green chiles or add jalapeños.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
  • Substitute beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter variation.
  • If dairy-free, omit cheese and use plant-based alternatives.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/tamale-pie-recipe/