Tamale Pie is one of those quintessential American pot-luck casserole dishes. I’m guessing it was invented by someone who had a taste of a real tamale and tried to recreate the flavor in a cornbread casserole.
Why Tamale Pie Is a Family Favorite
Tamale pie is not remotely Mexican and only somewhat resembles the flavor of real tamales. But it does taste great, is budget friendly, and easily feeds a lot of people!
What Are the Ingredients in Tamale Pie?
I always loved tamale pie as a kid, fortunately it was often served in our school cafeteria. The tamale pie I remember was made with ground beef, with green chile, olives, whole corn, and topped with cornbread, though one could just as easily used pulled pork or a more traditional tamale stuffing for the casserole. Some versions (like our Tamale Pie with Chicken, Green Chiles, and Cheese) have a masa topping like an actual tamale and some, like this one, have a cornbread topping.
Substitutions and Swaps
Eliminate the raisins if you’re not a fan of them or don’t want the sweetness.Use a different type of chile instead of Anaheim, such as roasted poblanos or even jalapenos if you like things spicy.Make it vegetarian: swap the ground beef for beans and/or brown lentils.Use a combination of cheeses, such as Mexican-style cheese blend, instead of all cheddar.Use a different bell pepper (e.g., red, orange, or yellow) for the green if you prefer its flavor.
How to Store and Reheat This Dish
Refrigerate the tamale pie, covered in its baking dish, for several days. To reheat, cover the pie loosely with foil, and heat in a 350°F oven until it’s warmed through — the exact timing will vary depending on how much pie you’re reheating. To freeze this dish, cool completely to room temperature, then freeze, covered, in its baking dish or in a smaller container, if necessary. Allow the frozen dish to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it.
More Delicious Tex-Mex Recipes to Make!
Quesadilla Pie Tamale Pie With Chicken, Green Chiles, and Cheese Salsa Verde Chicken Bake Chile Relleno Casserole Tex-Mex Shepherd’s Pie
Remove from heat. Drain excess fat if necessary (if you are using lean beef, there shouldn’t be excess).
