Fiesta Tamale Casserole
Description:
Prepare to embark on a culinary journey with this Fiesta Tamale Casserole! A symphony of flavors awaits as a tantalizing pork and beef chili sauce crowns store-bought tamales, creating a dish that’s both hearty and satisfying. Enhanced with the richness of cheese and the freshness of green onions, this casserole is perfectly complemented by a side of Mexican-style rice, making it an ideal choice for a vibrant meal that captures the essence of Tex Mex cuisine.
Recipe Overview:
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Keywords: Pork, Meat, Tex Mex, Southwestern U.S., Mexican, Spicy, < 30 Mins, Oven, Stove Top
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3 | Shortening |
| 3 | Garlic cloves, minced |
| 1 | Onion, diced |
| 1 | pound Boneless lean pork |
| 1 | can Tomato sauce |
| 2 1/2 | teaspoons Salt |
| 2 | tablespoons Chili powder |
| 1 | teaspoon Dried oregano |
| 2 | teaspoons Ground cumin |
| 1 | cup Green olives, sliced |
| 1/2 – 1 | cup Cheddar cheese, grated |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 748.9
- Fat: 53.9g
- Saturated Fat: 20.3g
- Cholesterol: 166.8mg
- Sodium: 2200.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 17.6g
- Fiber: 3.7g
- Sugar: 8.5g
- Protein: 48.6g
Instructions:
-
Prepare Ingredients:
- Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the tamale package instructions.
- Mince the garlic cloves, dice the onion, and slice the green olives.
- Grate the cheddar cheese and set aside.
-
Cook the Meat:
- In a skillet, heat the shortening over medium heat until melted.
- Add the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
- Add the boneless lean pork to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and brown until fully cooked.
-
Prepare the Chili Sauce:
- Once the meat is browned, pour in the tomato sauce, salt, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground cumin.
- Stir the ingredients together until well combined, allowing the flavors to meld together over medium heat for about 20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
-
Assemble the Casserole:
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sliced green olives, evenly distributing them throughout the chili sauce.
- Arrange the store-bought tamales in a single layer at the bottom of a baking dish.
- Pour the prepared chili sauce over the tamales, ensuring they are fully covered with the flavorful sauce.
-
Bake the Casserole:
- Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese generously over the top of the chili sauce-covered tamales.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake according to the package directions for the tamales, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once baked to perfection, remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
- Garnish with chopped green onions for an extra burst of freshness and color.
- Serve your Fiesta Tamale Casserole hot alongside Mexican-style rice for a complete and satisfying meal that’s sure to impress.
This Fiesta Tamale Casserole is a delightful fusion of flavors that celebrates the vibrant culinary heritage of the Southwestern United States and Mexico, making it a perfect dish for family dinners or festive gatherings with friends. Bursting with savory goodness, it’s a surefire crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone coming back for seconds! 🌶🧀🎉
