California Tamale Pie
Satisfy your craving for comfort food with this California Tamale Pie, a hearty and flavorful twist on classic tamale-inspired dishes. This easy one-pan recipe combines seasoned ground beef, black beans, sweet corn, and vibrant bell peppers, all simmered in a zesty tomato base and topped with a golden, fluffy layer of cornbread. With its cheesy center and warm spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika, each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory and mildly sweet flavors. Ready in just 50 minutes, this budget-friendly casserole is an ideal choice for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. Serve it straight from the oven and watch it disappear—this crowd-pleaser is as satisfying as it is simple to make!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes (canned, with juices)
- 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 package cornbread mix
- 0.75 cup milk (for cornbread mix)
- 1 large egg (for cornbread mix)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or similar-sized casserole dish.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Once the beef is browned, add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), black beans, frozen corn, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
Prepare the cornbread batter according to the package instructions, using the milk and egg specified in the ingredient list.
Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the beef and cheese layer in the baking dish, spreading it out with a spatula to cover the filling completely.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked through (a toothpick inserted into the cornbread should come out clean).
Remove the tamale pie from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Slice into portions and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
773 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.8 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.6 g | 58% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 103 mg | 34% | |
| Sodium | 1374 mg | 60% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 93.6 g | 34% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.9 g | 32% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.5 g | ||
| Protein | 30.8 g | 62% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 243 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 5.3 mg | 30% | |
| Potassium | 753 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
