Texas Tamale Pie Bake (Printable Version)

Ground beef, black beans, cornmeal, and cheddar combine in this hearty, flavorful Texas-inspired bake.

# What You'll Need:

→ Filling

01 - 450 g ground beef
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 425 g black beans, drained and rinsed
04 - 425 g diced tomatoes with green chilies
05 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Cornmeal Topping

10 - 165 g cornmeal
11 - 240 ml milk
12 - 1 large egg
13 - 115 g shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 80 g sliced black olives (optional)

→ Garnish

15 - 15 g chopped fresh cilantro

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Set oven to 175°C to preheat.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer mixture for 5 minutes.
04 - In a mixing bowl, blend cornmeal, milk, and egg until smooth.
05 - Grease a 23 x 33 cm baking dish. Spread half of the cornmeal mixture evenly in the bottom.
06 - Distribute beef mixture evenly over the cornmeal layer. Pour remaining cornmeal mixture on top.
07 - Scatter shredded cheddar cheese and black olives over the surface.
08 - Place dish in oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
09 - Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped cilantro prior to serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini.
02 - Add sliced jalapeños for extra heat, or finish servings with a spoonful of sour cream for additional richness.