Iron Skillet Tamale Pie

Turn weeknight dinners into a comforting, one-pan delight with this Iron Skillet Tamale Pie! Bursting with bold Southwestern flavors, this recipe layers a savory ground beef mixture spiced with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, topped with a golden, buttery cornbread crust that bakes to perfection right in a cast-iron skillet. Juicy diced tomatoes, sweet corn, and briny black olives add vibrant texture, while melted cheddar cheese provides the ultimate gooey topping. Ready in just under an hour, this easy skillet tamale pie is perfect for feeding a family of six and makes cleanup a breeze. Garnish with fresh cilantro and sour cream for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal that's sure to be a favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 can canned diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
• 1 can canned corn kernels, drained (15 ounces)
• 0.5 cup sliced black olives
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 quarters cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, coating the beef evenly with the spices.

Step 6

Pour in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices) and stir. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Add the drained corn and sliced black olives to the beef mixture and stir to combine. Remove from heat and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

Step 8

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

Step 9

In a separate bowl, combine the milk, beaten egg, and melted butter. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined (do not overmix).

Step 10

Spoon the cornbread batter evenly over the beef filling in the skillet, spreading gently to cover the surface.

Step 11

Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 12

Remove the skillet from the oven and let the tamale pie cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2353.3 grams (2353.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5120

Total Fat 210.60g	270%
Saturated Fat 85.00g	425%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.50g
Cholesterol 711mg	237%
Sodium 5392mg	234%
Total Carbohydrate 663.70g	241%
Dietary Fiber 55.70g	199%
Total Sugars 40.90g
Protein 181.30g	363%

Vitamin D 161IU	807%
Calcium 1288mg	99%
Iron 36mg	201%
Potassium 3079mg	66%

*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: 35.9%

Protein: 13.7%

Carbs: 50.3%