This comforting tamale pie recipe is a weeknight hero thanks to store-bought cornbread mix.

Have you ever had a tamale pie?

Tamale pie is one of those quintessential American pot-luck casserole dishes.

A casserole dish with a tamale pie and a piece missing.

Annika Panikker

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.

A casserole dish with a tamale pie and a piece missing.

Annika Panikker

Where Does Tamale Pie Come From?

Allow the frozen dish to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it.

Add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper.

A pan cooking ground beef, chopped bell peppers, and onions

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

Add salt, chile powder, and cumin.

Cook, stirring infrequently, until the ground beef has browned on all sides.

Drain excess fat if necessary (if you are using lean beef, there shouldn’t be excess).

Corn, peppers, and other ingredients being stirred into the ground beef mixture

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

Add more chile powder and cumin if desired.

Spoon filling into the casserole dish.

In a large bowl, prepare the cornbread batter according to the directions on the package.

Tamale pie ingredients being stirred with a spoon and cooking in a pan

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

Pour the cornbread batter over the top of the filling in the casserole.

Bake at 375F for 40 minutes, until the top is browned.

Did you love the recipe?

Spooning the filling for a tamale pie recipe in a casserole dish.

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

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Cornbread batter and a spoon in a glass bowl with measuring cups on the side

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

Spooning the cornmeal topping over the filling to make a tamale pie recipe.

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

Overhead view of a baked tamale pie with plates and utensils

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker