Go Back
A savory Texas Tamale Pie cooked to perfection, showcasing its golden crust.

Classic Texas Tamale Pie

This classic Texas Tamale Pie features a savory, spiced meat filling topped with a fluffy cornbread crust and melted cheddar cheese. It's a comforting one-dish meal perfect for a family dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Filling
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (or ground chicken/turkey)
  • 1 medium medium onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (15-ounce) can, undrained
  • 1 can tomato sauce (8-ounce) can
  • 1 can diced green chiles (4-ounce) can, undrained
  • 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for mixing into the filling, optional)
Cornbread Topping
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Medium bowl
  • Small bowl

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, then drain excess fat.
  3. Add chopped onion and cook until softened; stir in minced garlic for another minute until fragrant.
Cooking the Filling
  1. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles, broth, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  2. Simmer the mixture on low for 10-15 minutes to meld flavors and thicken; optionally, stir in 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
Preparing the Cornbread Topping
  1. Whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in one bowl.
  2. In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, and vegetable oil; combine wet and dry ingredients just until mixed.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Pour the hot meat filling evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  2. Spoon cornbread batter over the meat, spreading it to cover, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
  3. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cornbread is golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
  4. Let the tamale pie rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving to allow it to set.

Notes

For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat filling. You can prepare the meat filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat it slightly before assembling the pie.