Healthy Tamale Pie Mexican Casserole

This Tamale Pie Mexican Casserole is packed with ground meat, beans, vegetables, and tamale flavors. Baked with a simple cornmeal topping, and sprinkled with cheese, it’s an easy dinner any night of the week.

And a recipe I’ve been making for years.

Tamale Pie Ingredients

While exact measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, here’s a list of what you need to make this Mexican casserole:

• 1 lb ground meat
• Onion
• Garlic
• Bell Pepper
• Corn: frozen or canned
• Canned Beans
• Tomato sauce
• Salsa
• Chili powder and ground cumin

Cornmeal Topping

• Yellow cornmeal
• Salt
• Shredded Cheese
• Plus toppings for serving like: avocado, cherry tomatoes, parsley, sour cream, green onions

Ingredients Notes

There are several adaptations you can also make to customize the flavors of this simple and easy Tamale Pie.

Ground Meat:

The original recipe called for lean ground beef, which is always delicious. But both ground turkey and ground chicken are wonderful too. I’ve used ground turkey here, so choose your favorite or what you have on hand.

Corn:

Both canned and frozen corn works equally well.

Beans:

Think chili when you’re deciding which beans to use. Often, I’m using the canned beans that are easiest to reach in the pantry. Great choices include pinto beans, kidney beans, black beans, or a combination.

Salsa:

Use good quality salsa that has the heat level you prefer. I like it mild, but I do add a larger pinch of red pepper flakes for the family.

What to serve with Tamale Pie

One of the benefits of a casserole is that they often contain an entire meal in one dish. Exactly the case here. I like to add fresh greens always, but when serving a crowd, I’ll often add a rice side dish, like Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice.

And then, when I’m not keeping with the healthy vibes of this recipe, Mexican Chocolate Cookies are exceptionally yummy afterward.

How to Make Tamale Pie

This 9 x 13-inch casserole will bake in a 375-degree oven with a base of meat, beans, and vegetables, topped with cornmeal. While preheating the oven, begin to brown the meat.

Step 1: Brown the meat and onions

In a nonstick skillet, brown the ground meat with onions. Then stir in the garlic, vegetables, beans, sauce, salsa, and seasoning. Transfer to the baking dish.

Step 2: Make the cornmeal topping

In a saucepan combine cornmeal, water, and salt. Bring to a boil and cook until slightly thickened. Spoon the topping over the casserole.

Step 3: Bake the casserole

Bake for 45 minutes, sprinkle cheese over the top, and continue baking until melted.

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