Tamale Chili Pie

Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this irresistible Tamale Chili Pie—a hearty, flavor-packed casserole that brings together the bold spices of chili and the comforting, golden crust of tamale-style cornmeal. This easy-to-make recipe starts with a savory base of seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes, and kidney beans, showcasing a smoky blend of chili powder, cumin, and paprika. A buttery cornmeal crust is the perfect topper, baked to perfection with a blanket of melty cheddar cheese. Ready in just over an hour, this one-pan wonder is ideal for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week. Garnish with jalapeños and fresh cilantro for a vibrant and spicy finishing touch. Perfect for satisfying cravings for Tex-Mex cuisine, this Tamale Chili Pie is a fusion of hearty comfort food and zesty Southwest flavors—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 15 ounces canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2.5 cups water
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.25 cup sliced jalapeños (optional, for topping)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the onions soften and become translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice), kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5

Meanwhile, prepare the cornmeal crust: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the yellow cornmeal, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens.

Step 6

Stir in 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and season the cornmeal mixture with a pinch of salt. Remove from heat.

Step 7

Spread the prepared chili mixture evenly into a 9-inch pie dish or baking dish.

Step 8

Gently spoon the cornmeal mixture on top of the chili, spreading it out evenly to form a crust.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the cornmeal crust.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the Tamale Chili Pie cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Optionally, garnish with sliced jalapeños and fresh cilantro before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2395.8 grams (2395.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2988

Total Fat 173.90g	223%
Saturated Fat 81.40g	407%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.50g
Cholesterol 523mg	174%
Sodium 4699mg	204%
Total Carbohydrate 231.80g	84%
Dietary Fiber 48.40g	173%
Total Sugars 20.60g
Protein 144.80g	290%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1223mg	94%
Iron 26mg	142%
Potassium 3819mg	81%

*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: 51.0%

Protein: 18.9%

Carbs: 30.2%