Beef Mole Tamale Pie

Dive into the bold, layered flavors of this Beef Mole Tamale Pie—a comfort food classic with a rich, Mexican-inspired twist. Featuring a hearty base of seasoned ground beef, black beans, and diced tomatoes simmered in velvety mole sauce, this dish is crowned with a golden, cheesy cornmeal topping that’s crispy on the surface and fluffy underneath. A hint of chili powder and cumin brings warmth to every bite, while the finishing touch of fresh cilantro adds a burst of freshness. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck, this tamale pie is easy to prepare and ready in just over an hour. With its irresistible mix of sweet, savory, and smoky notes, this recipe brings the flavors of mole to your table in a family-friendly, one-dish format!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 units garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup mole sauce
• 14 ounces diced tomatoes, drained
• 15 ounces black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup water
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1.25 cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, about 6-8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles with a spoon.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion is softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the mole sauce, diced tomatoes, black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and 1/2 cup water. Simmer for 5 minutes, then pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Step 5

In a mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, and a pinch of salt.

Step 6

Gradually add the milk and melted butter to the dry ingredients, stirring until smooth.

Step 7

Spread the cornmeal mixture evenly over the beef mixture in the baking dish.

Step 8

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the cornmeal layer.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden and firm to the touch.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let the tamale pie rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Step 11

Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve warm. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2380.6 grams (2380.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3162

Total Fat 168.20g	216%
Saturated Fat 82.80g	414%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.20g
Cholesterol 521mg	174%
Sodium 4141mg	180%
Total Carbohydrate 279.30g	102%
Dietary Fiber 46.80g	167%
Total Sugars 64.40g
Protein 159.10g	318%

Vitamin D 148IU	741%
Calcium 1514mg	116%
Iron 24mg	133%
Potassium 4254mg	91%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.3%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 34.2%