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A delicious Texas Tamale Pie, fresh from the oven, served on a rustic dish

Homestyle Texas Tamale Pie

This Homestyle Texas Tamale Pie features a savory ground beef filling simmered with tomatoes, beans, and corn, topped with a fluffy, cheesy masa topping. It's a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a family meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Filling:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean is ideal)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for a kick
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Masa Topping:
  • 1 cup masa harina
  • 1 cup chicken broth, warm
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese plus extra for topping

Equipment

  • large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • medium bowl

Method
 

Prepare the Filling
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then add ground beef and cook until browned, draining excess fat.
  2. Add chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet, cook until softened (about 5-7 minutes), then stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in diced tomatoes, pinto beans, frozen corn, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using); bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes to meld flavors, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Assemble the Filling
  1. Pour the beef filling evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Create the Masa Topping
  1. In a medium bowl, combine masa harina, warm chicken broth, sour cream, melted butter, baking powder, and salt, mixing until a soft, spreadable dough forms.
Top the Pie
  1. Gently spoon dollops of the masa topping over the beef filling and spread evenly over the entire surface, covering the filling completely.
Add Cheese & Bake
  1. Sprinkle the cup of shredded cheese over the masa topping.
  2. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the masa is golden brown and cooked through, and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
Rest and Serve
  1. Remove from the oven and let the tamale pie rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving to help it set and make for cleaner slices.

Notes

For a spicier kick, you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling. If you don't have masa harina, you can substitute it with fine cornmeal, though the texture of the topping may vary slightly. This recipe is also great for meal prepping; you can assemble the pie ahead of time and bake it just before serving. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.