Updated on October 15th, 2025
When you’re craving the comforting flavors of tamales but don’t have the time to wrap and steam them, this tamale pie recipe is the perfect solution. It’s a warm and flavorful casserole that layers fluffy cornbread, seasoned taco meat, enchilada sauce, and melted cheese. Every bite brings a mix of sweet, savory, and mildly spicy flavors that make this dish so satisfying. You can bake it in a dish or a cast iron pan, and it’s a great way to use simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Why this recipe works
- Easy preparation: Using basic ingredients like cornmeal, ground beef, and enchilada sauce makes this dish simple to put together while still tasting homemade.
- Balanced flavors: The cornbread’s sweetness and texture pair beautifully with the seasoned beef and zesty enchilada sauce for a cozy meal everyone enjoys.
- Flexible toppings: You can make it your own by adding guacamole, sour cream, salsa, or chopped cilantro for extra flavor and freshness.
- Crowd-friendly meal: Perfect for feeding a family or a small group, it serves several people and keeps well for leftovers.
- Comforting texture: The soft cornbread base soaks up the sauce and cheese, creating a rich and comforting bite every time.
Serving suggestions
- Family dinner: Serve slices of tamale pie with a side of refried beans or Mexican rice for a filling and well-rounded meal.
- Casual gathering: Bring it to potlucks or parties since it’s easy to transport and stays warm for a long time.
- Fresh touch: Add a spoonful of pico de gallo, diced avocado, or chopped green onions on top before serving for extra freshness.
- Spicy variation: Sprinkle extra chili flakes or drizzle hot sauce for a little kick if you like more heat in your dish.
- Next-day lunch: Enjoy leftovers the next day with a small salad on the side, as the flavors become even richer after resting overnight.
Tamale pie recipe
This easy tamale pie recipe layers cornbread, taco-seasoned beef, enchilada sauce, and cheese for a delicious, comforting meal.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Cornbread-
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 2/3 cup flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3–4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 (4.5 ounces) can dice green chiles
- 1 can of creamed corn
Taco Meat-
- 1lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Other-
- 1 1/4 cup red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add in the oil until soft crumbles are formed.
- Whisk in the milk and egg. Fold in the green chiles and creamed corn gently until well combined. Pour into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes).
- While the cornbread is baking, combine ground beef with cumin, chili powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Add to a large skillet and cook over medium heat while breaking up into chunks with a spatula until fully cooked about 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Once the cornbread has finished baking, remove it from the oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Poke holes in the cornbread with a fork and pour the enchilada sauce over it. Top with ground beef and shredded cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Place into the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the cheese begins to brown, about 5-10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 436
- Sugar: 8.9 g
- Sodium: 819.1 mg
- Fat: 19.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 32.7 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 116 mg