The oh so Good – Too Easy Tamale Pie.
Ever been craving a tamale but don’t feel like spending the whole weekend cooking? Hello Easy Tamale Pie. Somewhat surprisingly, the cornbread tastes very similar to a tamale!
I imagine this recipe was invented by some mid-west mom who was making Hot Dish, and noticed she had a Box of Jiffy Corn Muffins about to expire, and as they say- The rest is history.
Easy Tamale Pie is a savory and comforting dish with its roots in Mexican cuisine. Its history can be traced back to the fusion of Mexican and American culinary traditions i.e., Tex-Mex
The origins of Too Easy Tamale:
Pie can be linked to tamales, a traditional Mexican dish consisting of masa (corn dough) filled with various ingredients, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed. Tamales have a long history in Mexican cuisine, dating back to ancient times, and are often associated with celebrations and special occasions. In addition, they also takes hours to make!!!
As Mexican and American culinary influences mingled, home cooks began experimenting with new ways to incorporate traditional flavors into everyday meals. The result was the creation of Easy Tamale Pie, a dish that captures the essence of tamales but in a more accessible and convenient format.
Easy Tamale Pie typically features a base layer of seasoned ground meat, often beef or chicken, mixed with spices, vegetables, and sometimes beans. Then, this savory filling is topped with a cornmeal-based crust, resembling the masa used in traditional tamales. The dish is baked until the crust is golden brown and the flavors meld together.
Tips and tricks for Too Easy Tamale Pie:
- First, to make the cornmeal crust light and fluffy, whisk the eggs well before adding them to the cornmeal and milk mixture. This will create air bubbles that will make the crust rise and have a tender texture.
- Second, to add some extra flavor and texture to the crust, you can stir in some chopped scallions, shredded cheese, or corn kernels to the cornmeal batter before pouring it over the filling.
- Third, to prevent the crust from sticking to the pan, make sure to grease the skillet or baking dish well with butter or cooking spray. Alternatively, you can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal and slicing.
Why Easy Tamale Pie works:
- Too Easy Tamale Pie is a versatile dish that can be adapted to your preferences and what you have on hand. You can use different kinds of meat, beans, vegetables, cheese, and spices to create your own version.
- It is a one-pot meal that is easy to prepare and bake. You can make the filling and the crust in the same skillet, or transfer the filling to a baking dish and spread the crust over it. Either way, you’ll have less dishes to wash and more time to enjoy your meal.
- Definitely, a crowd-pleaser that can feed a family or a group of friends. It’s warm, cheesy, and satisfying, and goes well with a simple salad or some sour cream and salsa on the side.
Too Easy Tamale Pie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 300 g ground beef or a can of your favorite chili Choose your protein. I like beef, but chicken, turkey or porks will work - or black beans if you want to go vegetarian.
- 1 chopped onion 1 small onion, or 1/2 a large onion
- 1 jar of your favorite salsa 14-16 oz
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese I like sharp cheddar
- 1 box corn muffin mix Jiffy works fine
- 1 jalapeño *Optional
- 1 can of sweet corn *Optional
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F or 190℃.
- Add some oil to a pan and heat it over medium heat. Cook the chopped onions in the oil, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and translucent, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Increase the heat to medium high and add the meat to the onions. Sprinkle .75 tsp of salt over the meat and cook until browned, for about 7 minutes. Transfer the meat and onions to paper towels to drain the excess fat, then return them to the pan. If using chili or beans, heat them up in a microwave or a separate pan.
- ****Remember to DRAIN the meat before you add the salsa****
- Add the corn (if using) and salsa to the meat and mix until combined.
- Now is the time to taste the mixture and tweak the seasoning to your liking. You can add more salt, garlic powder, or red chili flakes if you want. This is how the final dish will taste, so make sure you are happy with it. Then
- Pour the mixture into a 13 x 9 casserole pan.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese. I like it ooey gooey.
- Follow the package directions to prepare the corn muffin mix in a separate bowl. You can also add some fresh or pickled jalapeños to the batter for extra flavor. Then, spread the batter evenly over the mixture and bake it on the middle rack of the oven.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the corn bread turns golden brown.
- Serve with Mexican rice and Pico de gallo
Notes
Nutrition
Too Easy Tamale Pie Pairs well with:
