Easy Joy Of Cooking Cornbread Tamale Pie Recipe for Perfect Dinner

Joy of Cooking’s cornbread tamale pie represents a delightful fusion of comfort and flavor that transforms simple ingredients into a magical meal.

Traditional Southwestern recipes inspire this robust culinary creation that blends savory and sweet elements perfectly.

Layers of rich, spiced ground meat merge seamlessly with soft, golden cornbread topping.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures and warm, inviting tastes that comfort your soul.

Home cooks appreciate this one-pan wonder for its simplicity and crowd-pleasing potential.

Families gather around steaming plates, eager to savor every delectable morsel.

The magic happens when hearty ingredients meld together, creating a meal that feels like a warm embrace: dive in and enjoy!

Cornbread Tamale Pie Cooking Directions

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly coat a 3-quart casserole dish with cooking spray, ensuring even coverage on sides and bottom.

Step 2: Cook Meat and Vegetables

• Ground meat
• Onions

Step 3: Create Savory Filling

• Corn
• Beans
• Tomato sauce
• Broth
• Bell pepper (optional)
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Mix Dry Cornbread Ingredients

• Cornmeal
• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Step 5: Prepare Wet Cornbread Mixture

• Egg
• Milk
• Oil

Combine wet and dry mixtures, stirring until smooth.

Step 6: Assemble Pie

Pour meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread cornbread batter evenly on top.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 20-25 minutes until cornbread topping turns golden brown and begins to rise.

Cornbread Tamale Pie Tricks You Should Know

• Customize Heat Kick: Dial up or tone down chili powder to match your spice tolerance.
• Boost Flavor Layers: Fold in crispy bacon bits or roasted green chiles for depth and crunch.
• Prep Like a Pro: Brown meat mixture the night before, refrigerate, then assemble quickly before baking.
• Transform Leftovers: Crumble cold pie over fresh salad or reheat with a dollop of sour cream.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap tightly in plastic and store up to 3 months for instant comfort food.

Cornbread Tamale PieStorage Tricks You Should Know

Preserve freshly baked cornbread tamale pie in airtight glass containers to maintain maximum flavor and texture. Glass containers create a moisture barrier that prevents freezer burn and keeps ingredients crisp.

Freeze individual portions wrapped securely in heavy-duty aluminum foil for quick future meals. Separately packaging servings allows easier defrosting and reduces potential waste when you’re craving just a small portion.

Refrigerate within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth and extend the dish’s overall quality. Cool completely at room temperature before storing to minimize condensation inside the container, which could make the cornbread soggy.

Different Takes on Cornbread Tamale Pie

• Vegetarian Cornbread Casserole: Replace ground meat with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, lentils, or vegetarian meat substitutes. Add extra vegetables such as zucchini and mushrooms for enhanced flavor and nutrition.
• Spicy Southwest Cornbread Pie: Kick up the heat by adding diced jalapeños, increasing chili powder, and incorporating chipotle peppers. Top with pepper jack cheese before baking for an extra spicy kick.
• Chicken Tamale Casserole: Swap ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken or ground chicken. Include green chiles and use salsa verde instead of traditional tomato sauce for a different southwestern profile.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Cornbread Bake: Substitute meat with chickpeas, add Mediterranean spices like oregano and paprika, and include feta cheese. Mix in spinach and roasted red peppers for a unique Mediterranean-style casserole.

Wrapping Up Cornbread Tamale Pie

Hearty comfort beckons with this southwestern-style cornbread tamale pie, merging robust flavors and rustic charm.

Southwestern spices dance through tender ground meat, creating a symphony of culinary delight.

Cornmeal topping provides golden, crisp perfection that elevates humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Family dinners gain newfound excitement with this one-pan marvel that promises satisfaction in every bite.

Traditional recipes like these connect generations through shared cultural experiences and memorable meals.

Rich aromas wafting from your kitchen will draw everyone to the table, eager to savor this classic southwestern treasure.

Passionate cooks, snap a photo, share this recipe, and spread deliciousness across social media – you won’t regret inspiring fellow culinary adventurers!

Top Perks of Cornbread Tamale Pie

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This tamale pie delivers a soul-warming one-dish meal packed with robust flavors and textures that feel like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Quick and Satisfying Weeknight Champion: With just 55 minutes from start to finish, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a complete dinner that beats any takeout option, perfect for busy families craving home-cooked goodness.
• Versatile Flavor Adventure: The combination of ground meat, beans, and corn creates a protein-rich base while the cornbread topping adds a delightful golden-brown crust that transforms a basic casserole into a crave-worthy meal that works for casual dinners or potluck gatherings.
• Effortless Cooking Experience: Requiring only basic cooking skills and standard kitchen tools, this recipe welcomes home cooks of all levels to create a delicious, filling meal without complicated techniques or expensive ingredients.

What’s In Cornbread Tamale Pie

• Ground Beef: Hearty base protein that provides rich, savory flavor and substance to the dish.
• Beans: Adds protein, texture, and earthy taste to complement the meat.

• Onion: Provides sweet, aromatic base flavor and softens during cooking.
• Corn: Adds sweetness and traditional southwestern texture to the pie.
• Bell Pepper: Optional vegetable that brings brightness and mild pepper flavor.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates a moist, tangy sauce that binds the filling together.

• Cornmeal, Flour: Primary dry ingredients that create the classic cornbread texture and structure.
• Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness to balance savory flavors.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cornbread topping rise and become light and fluffy.
• Egg, Milk, Oil: Binding and moisture ingredients that create a smooth, tender cornbread layer.

• Chili Powder, Cumin: Provides warm, deep southwestern spice profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall flavor balance.
• Broth: Adds moisture and deepens the meat mixture's flavor.

Joy Of Cooking Cornbread Tamale Pie Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Cornbread Tamale Pie delivers a hearty Mexican-inspired comfort classic with layers of spicy ground beef, zesty tomatoes, and rich cornmeal topping. Southern cuisine meets southwestern flavors in this satisfying one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup rinsed and drained canned black beans
• 1 cup corn, drained, canned, or frozen (thawed if frozen)

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup diced green bell pepper, optional
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon chile powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
• 1 cup beef or chicken broth

Cornbread Topping Ingredients:

• ¾ cup cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 egg
• ⅓ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius). Prepare a 3-quart (2.8-liter) casserole dish by lightly coating the interior with cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly brown the ground meat and sauté the diced onions until they become translucent and soft, approximately 8-10 minutes.
3. Add corn kernels, black beans, tomato sauce, chicken or beef broth, diced bell peppers, chili powder, ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper to the meat mixture. Simmer the ingredients together, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes to meld the flavors.
4. In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and an additional teaspoon of salt until well combined.
5. In a smaller bowl, whisk the egg, whole milk, and vegetable oil until smooth and fully integrated.
6. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry cornmeal mixture, stirring gently until a uniform batter forms without overmixing.
7. Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Carefully pour the cornmeal batter over the meat, creating a complete top layer.
8. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 22-27 minutes, or until the cornbread topping turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Notes

• Customize heat by adding or reducing spicy ingredients to match your personal comfort zone.
• Elevate flavors with zesty jalapeños or melty cheese crumbles for a more complex taste profile.
• Streamline dinner prep by cooking meat mixture earlier and quickly assembling before baking.
• Maximize meal planning by doubling the recipe, ensuring delicious leftovers and easy feeding for larger groups.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 338 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 706 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 49 mg