Pioneer Woman Tamale Pie Recipe: Easy & Delicious

Dive into the heartwarming flavors of the Southwest with a comforting Tamale Pie recipe, inspired by the queen of home cooking herself, The Pioneer Woman. This dish takes all the delicious elements of traditional tamales and transforms them into an easy-to-make casserole that’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Imagine layers of savory, seasoned ground beef nestled under a blanket of cheesy cornbread – it’s Tex-Mex comfort food at its finest!

A slice of Tamale Pie with sour cream and chopped cilantro.

This Pioneer Woman Tamale Pie recipe is not only incredibly tasty but also a complete meal in one dish. While it stands perfectly well on its own, you can elevate your dinner spread by pairing it with fresh and zesty sides. Consider serving it alongside a vibrant layered taco salad for a refreshing crunch, or kick things up a notch with some flavorful raspberry margaritas. For a perfect appetizer, a classic 7-layer dip will round out your Tex-Mex feast.

Key Ingredients for Your Pioneer Woman Tamale Pie

Before you start cooking, let’s gather all the stars of our Tamale Pie show. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, with a few notes and substitutions to ensure your dish is just right. For the full list of measurements, check out the recipe card at the end of this article.

Ground Beef: Opt for ground beef with a bit of fat content – it’s where the flavor lives!
Tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes bring a depth of flavor, but any diced tomatoes will work beautifully.
Cornmeal: Yellow cornmeal is classic for that authentic tamale taste, but white cornmeal is also a great alternative.
Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream will give you the richest and most decadent cornbread topping.
Milk: Whole or 2% milk will provide the right moisture and texture for the topping.
Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend are all fantastic choices for a cheesy delight.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamale Pie Pioneer Woman Style

Ready to get cooking? Here’s a simplified overview of how to assemble your Pioneer Woman Tamale Pie. For detailed instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll down to the recipe card.

First, get your skillet hot and brown that ground beef over medium heat. Once it’s halfway cooked, toss in your chopped onions, bell peppers, and jalapeño. Keep cooking until the beef is nicely browned and the veggies are tender.

Next, dial down the heat to low and stir in the minced garlic. Cook for about a minute until fragrant. Then, add the fire-roasted tomatoes, corn, tomato paste, chili powder, and cumin. Let this flavorful mixture simmer for around 10 minutes while you prepare the cornbread topping.

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. In goes the sour cream, milk, beaten eggs, oil, cheese, and corn. Mix it all until just combined.

Now, it’s assembly time! Spoon the savory meat mixture into your baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top it with the cornbread mixture, using a spatula to smooth the surface. For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle a bit more cheese and some jalapeño rings on top. Finally, bake in a preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the topping is set and beautifully golden brown.

Tips for the Perfect Tamale Pie

Want to make sure your Tamale Pie is a surefire hit? Here are some handy tips to keep in mind:

Meat Swaps: Feel free to use ground turkey, pork, or chicken instead of ground beef.
Tomato Alternatives: Diced or crushed tomatoes are perfect substitutes if you can’t find fire-roasted ones.
Spice Level: Sensitive to spice? Skip the jalapeños or use mild green chiles instead.
Preventing Over-Browning: If the topping starts browning too quickly, gently cover the pie with aluminum foil.
Cooling is Key: Let your Tamale Pie cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. It helps it set and makes for cleaner slices.
Topping Ideas: Get creative with toppings! Sour cream, black olives, extra jalapeños, diced tomatoes, or fresh cilantro all add a delicious finishing touch.

Serving Tamale Pie: Side Dish Suggestions

To create a balanced and delightful meal, pair your Pioneer Woman Tamale Pie with some refreshing side dishes. A light and crunchy Mexican coleslaw or a fun and flavorful Doritos taco salad are excellent choices. For more classic Tex-Mex accompaniments, consider serving it with warm refried beans, vibrant cilantro lime rice, creamy guacamole, fresh Pico de Gallo, or crowd-pleasing bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers.

Storing and Reheating Your Tamale Pie

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store your Tamale Pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For reheating, a microwave works great – just use reduced power to warm it through gently.

For longer storage, you can freeze your Tamale Pie. In a freezer-safe container, it will keep for up to 2 months. Alternatively, wrap the entire casserole tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Easy tamale pie with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, and onions all topped with a cornbread crust.

More Tex-Mex Inspired Recipes to Explore

If you loved this Pioneer Woman Tamale Pie, why not try some other delicious Tex-Mex recipes? Here are a few more dishes you might enjoy:

[Mexican Pizzas stuffed with refried beans and taco seasoned ground beef then topped with oodles of cheese and tomatoes.

Mexican Pizzas ](https://www.smalltownwoman.com/mexican-pizza/)

[

Mexican Stuffed Pepper](https://www.smalltownwoman.com/mexican-stuffed-peppers/)

[Chicken Soft Tacos

Chicken Tacos](https://www.smalltownwoman.com/chicken-tacos/)

[

Beef Enchilada Casserole](https://www.smalltownwoman.com/beef-enchilada-casserole/)

[

Barbacoa Tacos](https://www.smalltownwoman.com/barbacoa-tacos/)

[

Chicken Enchiladas](https://www.smalltownwoman.com/easy-chicken-enchiladas/)

Easy Tamale Pie Recipe Card

Get ready to print or save this easy and delicious Tamale Pie recipe! Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, this dish is sure to become a new family favorite.

Easy Tamale Pie Recipe

A fun and easy family friendly Tamale Pie loaded with seasoned ground beef, onions, and tomatoes all topped with cheesy cornbread

5 from 52 votes

Print Recipe Pin Rate

Course: main meal beef
Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 412kcal
Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

Tamale Pie Filling

1½ lbs ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
1 red pepper finely diced
1 jalapeño minced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 (14.5 ounces) can fire roasted tomatoes
1 (15 ounces) can corn drained (reserve ½ cup for topping)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1½ tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin

Cornmeal Topping

¾ cup yellow cornmeal
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ cup sour cream
¾ cup milk
2 eggs beaten
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese reserve 1/2 cup for sprinkling on top
1 jalapeño sliced in rings
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease or spray with nonstick cooking spray an 11×7 inch casserole dish.
Browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. After 3-4 minutes add the onions bell peppers and jalapeño. Continue cooking until the beef is browned and the onions and bell peppers are soft.
Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute stirring continuously. Remove any excess grease from the skillet. Add the fire roasted tomatoes, corn, tomato paste, chili powder, and cumin. Simmer for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. Then mix in the sour cream, milk, beaten eggs, oil, cheese, and reserved corn. Stir just until combined.
Spoon the beef mixture into the casserole dish spreading evenly. Top with the cornbread mixture using a spatula to even the top. Sprinkle with reserved cheese and jalapeño rings. Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only a few crumbs. Garnish with cilantro. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Substitute ground turkey, pork, or chicken for the ground beef if desired.
You can substitute diced or crushed tomatoes if you can not find fire-roasted tomatoes.
If you are sensitive to spicy foods, omit the jalapeños or substitute them with a small can of drained green chiles. Please see the section below on picking the best mild jalapeños.
If the pie browns too much before the topping is completely set, top with a piece of aluminum foil loosely placed over it.
Let it cool for about 10 minutes. I find it best to cut through with a sharp knife and use a sturdy spatula to plate it.
Top the casserole with sour cream, black olives, jalapeños, tomatoes, or cilantro.

Nutrition

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