Texas Tamale Pie Casserole: A Hearty Weeknight Delight

This Texas Tamale Pie Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, blending a savory, spiced beef filling with a fluffy, golden cornbread topping. It’s a one-pan wonder that delivers all the incredible flavors of traditional tamales without any of the complicated wrapping. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, it’s a recipe you’ll want to add to your regular rotation.

Imagine a rich, flavorful chili-like base made with ground beef, enchilada sauce, and warm spices, all bubbling under a tender, slightly sweet layer of cornbread. It’s the kind of meal that warms you up from the inside out. Whether you’re feeding your family or hosting a casual get-together, this casserole brings a delicious taste of Tex-Mex cuisine right to your table.

Why You’ll Love This Texas Tamale Pie Casserole

• Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory ground beef, rich enchilada sauce, and spices creates a deeply flavorful filling that pairs perfectly with the cornbread topping.
• Easy to Make: This recipe simplifies the classic tamale into an accessible one-pan casserole. No difficult doughs or corn husks required!
• Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s hearty enough for a family dinner, yet special enough to serve to guests. It’s a true all-rounder.
• Customizable: Feel free to adjust the spice level, add beans, or top with your favorite Tex-Mex garnishes to make it your own.

Ingredients for the Perfect Casserole

This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a spectacular dish. The filling is rich and savory, while the cornbread topping provides the perfect fluffy contrast. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.

For the Beef Filling:

• Ground Beef: One pound of lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) works best to avoid excess grease.
• Onion & Garlic: A yellow onion and fresh garlic cloves create the aromatic foundation.
• Bell Pepper: A green bell pepper adds a touch of classic flavor and texture.
• Red Enchilada Sauce: This is the key to the savory, spiced flavor of the filling.
• Diced Tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes adds moisture and a tangy flavor.
• Corn: Frozen or canned corn kernels add a hint of sweetness.
• Spices: Chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano provide that signature Tex-Mex warmth.
• Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese gets mixed into the filling and sprinkled on top for a gooey, melted finish.

For the Cornbread Topping:

• Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix: For convenience and a consistently delicious, slightly sweet topping.
• Egg: Binds the cornbread batter together.
• Milk: Adds moisture for a tender crumb.
• Melted Butter: Provides richness and flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Texas Tamale Pie Casserole

Follow these simple steps to create a mouthwatering casserole that will have everyone asking for the recipe. We’ll start with the savory filling and finish with the golden cornbread topping.

1. Prepare the Savory Beef Filling

First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain off any excess fat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Next, stir in the red enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes (undrained), corn, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.

2. Mix the Cornbread Topping

While the filling simmers, prepare the cornbread topping. In a medium bowl, combine the Jiffy corn muffin mix, egg, milk, and melted butter. Stir until just combined—be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.

3. Assemble and Bake Your Casserole

Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the beef filling in the skillet. Spread it gently to cover the entire surface. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Expert Tips for the Best Results

• Don’t Overmix the Batter: For a tender and fluffy cornbread topping, mix the batter until the ingredients are just combined.
• Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: A cast-iron skillet is perfect for this recipe as it can go directly from the stovetop to the oven, making for easier cleanup.
• Let it Rest: Allowing the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking helps it set, making it easier to slice and serve.
• Check for Doneness: The cornbread is done when it’s golden and a toothpick inserted into the topping comes out clean.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Try one of these variations to switch things up!

• Add Beans: Stir in a can of black beans or pinto beans (rinsed and drained) with the corn for extra fiber and flavor.
• Adjust the Spice: For a spicier kick, add a chopped jalapeño with the onion or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices.
• Different Meats: This recipe works wonderfully with ground turkey or ground chicken as a leaner alternative to beef. For another great beef recipe, try our Slow Cooker Shredded Beef.
• Homemade Cornbread: If you have a favorite homemade cornbread recipe, feel free to use it instead of the boxed mix.

What to Serve with Your Casserole

This Texas Tamale Pie Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but a few simple sides can elevate it even further. We love serving it with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and a side of sliced avocado. For a more complete spread, consider a simple green salad with a lime vinaigrette.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through, or simply microwave individual portions.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Hearty Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this recipe, you’re sure to love some of our other satisfying dinner ideas. This White Chicken Chili is a fan favorite, and for another comforting casserole, check out our Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole.

The Best Texas Tamale Pie Casserole

Texas Tamale Pie Casserole: A Hearty Weeknight Delight

This Texas Tamale Pie Casserole features a savory ground beef filling topped with a fluffy cornbread crust. It's an easy, one-pan Tex-Mex dinner that captures the classic taste of tamales without the fuss. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing weeknight meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Calories: 550

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Beef Filling

• 1 lb lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 1 green bell pepper chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes undrained
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided

For the Cornbread Topping

• 1 box (8.5 oz) Jiffy corn muffin mix
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted

Equipment

• 1 Large oven-safe skillet (10-inch) A cast-iron skillet is ideal.
• 1 Mixing Bowl

Instructions

 

Prepare the Beef Filling

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large oven-safe skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add chopped onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened (5-7 minutes). Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
4. Stir in enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes, corn, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

Assemble and Bake

1. In a separate bowl, combine Jiffy mix, egg, milk, and melted butter. Stir until just combined.
2. Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the beef filling in the skillet.
3. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cornbread is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Toppings: Serve with sour cream, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, or jalapeños.
Make-Ahead: Prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance. When ready to bake, heat the filling on the stove, then add the freshly mixed cornbread topping and bake as directed.

Tried This Recipe? Let Us Know!

We hope you love this easy and flavorful Texas Tamale Pie Casserole! It’s a comforting dish that brings big Tex-Mex flavor to your dinner table with minimal effort. If you tried it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to share your creations and follow us on Pinterest for more delicious inspiration!