Name: Easy Beef Tamale Pie
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds lean ground beef; Salsa, 24 ounces; 1/2 cup shredded cheese; Cornbread Mix, 12.5 ounce box

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Quick and easy Beef Tamale Pie is a family favorite old school casserole with a layer of beef mixed with salsa and cheese and topped with cornbread.

This recipe is almost too easy to make. The first time I served it I was a little worried but my family loved it and has asked for it again and again which makes me happy on a multitude of levels including the fact that it’s pretty much a no brainer and perfect for nights when I don’t have much time to cook dinner.

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How To Make Beef Tamale Pie

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground beef

1 jar of salsa, 24 ounces

1/2 cup shredded cheese

1 12.5 ounce box of cornbread muffin mix

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Browned ground beef in a cast iron skillet

Brown ground beef in a 10 inch or 10.25 inch cast iron skillet and drain.

Ground beef in a cast iron skillet topped with salsa

Beef Tamale Pie in cast iron skillet/ground beef, salsa, and shredded cheese

Beef Tamale Pie Mixture in Cast Iron Skillet

Stir in salsa and shredded cheese.

Easy Beef Tamale Pie in a Cast Iron Skillet topped with cornbread ready to go in the oven

Prepare cornbread per the instructions on the box and spoon over the ground beef mixture.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

Cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Beef Tamale Pie topped with cornbread in a cast iron skillet fresh out of the oven

My favorite element of this recipe is how customizable it is and below are some of my suggestions for specific ingredients:

Zatarain’s Honey Butter Cornbread Mix – This adds another flavor layer to the pie but you can use any of your favorite cornbread mixes or homemade cornbread.
Salsa – I buy a jar of mild salsa at Aldi’s and that’s what I use consistently but if you like something spicier, use your favorite salsa.
This recipe makes 8 servings but you can cut everything in half and use a smaller box of cornbread muffin mix. The directions will remain the same.

Small cast iron skillet with a gluten-free beef tamale pie

*My husband is gluten-free. Because of this, I make a small portion for him using a gluten-free cornbread mix. It would be easy to make the entire recipe gluten-free by simply changing out the muffin mix.

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8 Servings