Tamale Pie Casserole is a delightful dish that brings together the rich flavors of the Southwestern U.S. and the comforting appeal of a classic casserole, making it an ideal choice for a hearty family meal or a potluck gathering with friends. This recipe, adapted from lovewithrecipes.com, offers a simple and easy-to-follow method that even beginner cooks can master with confidence, requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time. With its savory combination of lean beef, sweet corn, tangy tomatoes, and gooey melted cheese, this Tamale Pie Casserole is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 lb | Lean beef |
| 3/4 cup | Yellow cornmeal |
| 1 1/2 cups | Skim milk |
| 1 | Egg |
| 1 tsp | Seasoning salt |
| 1 can | Stewed tomatoes |
| 1 cup | Corn |
| 1/4 cup | Black olives |
| 1 cup | Cheese (shredded) |
Instructions:
-
Prepare Cornmeal Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the yellow cornmeal and skim milk, stirring until well incorporated. Set aside.
-
Cook Beef:
- In a skillet, brown the lean beef over medium heat until crumbly and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning to the cooked beef according to the package directions, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
-
Assemble Layers:
- To the seasoned beef, add the seasoning salt, stewed tomatoes (undrained), corn, and black olives, mixing well to combine.
- Into the bottom of a slow cooker (crockpot), spread half of the cornmeal mixture evenly.
- Next, layer the seasoned beef mixture on top of the cornmeal mixture in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle half a cup of shredded cheese over the beef layer.
- Cover the beef layer with the remaining cornmeal mixture, spreading it out evenly.
-
Slow Cook:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high heat for 3-4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the cornmeal to set.
-
Cheesy Finish:
- Once the cooking time is complete, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Recover the slow cooker and allow the cheese to melt for approximately 5 minutes, creating a deliciously gooey topping.
-
Serve:
- Carefully scoop out generous portions of the Tamale Pie Casserole onto serving plates.
- Garnish with additional toppings if desired, such as chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, or a dollop of sour cream.
- Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of this Southwestern-inspired dish with family and friends!
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 397.9
- Fat Content: 14.2g
- Saturated Fat Content: 6.7g
- Cholesterol Content: 99.2mg
- Sodium Content: 567mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 41.6g
- Fiber Content: 4g
- Sugar Content: 6.2g
- Protein Content: 29.2g
Tamale Pie Casserole is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your taste preferences by adding additional ingredients such as diced bell peppers, jalapenos for extra heat, or black beans for added protein and fiber. Whether served as a comforting weeknight dinner or as the star attraction at your next potluck gathering, this Tamale Pie Casserole is sure to impress with its delicious flavors and hearty appeal.
