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Easy Jiffy Tamale Pie Recipe

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★★★★

4 from 55 reviews

This Easy Jiffy Tamale Pie is a hearty and comforting casserole featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with cheesy cornbread. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish combines bold Mexican-inspired flavors with a quick and simple preparation, baking everything together in one skillet for a deliciously satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 small red pepper, diced
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels (canned corn, drained, also works)
  • 1 4 oz. can diced green chilies
  • 1 1 oz. packet low-sodium taco seasoning
  • 1 12 oz. can enchilada sauce (or about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)

Cornbread Topping

  • 1 8.5 oz. box Jiffy cornbread mix
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup milk

Optional Toppings

  • Sour cream
  • Cilantro
  • Green onions
  • Black olives

Instructions

  1. Brown Ground Beef: In a 10-inch cast-iron or oven-proof skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and brown it for 3-4 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. For finer meat texture, use a potato masher in the last minute of cooking.
  2. Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Stir in diced onion, red pepper, corn kernels, green chilies, and taco seasoning. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
  3. Mix in Sauce and Cheese: Pour in the enchilada sauce and stir until combined. Add half of the shredded cheddar cheese and mix well. Taste and add salt if necessary.
  4. Prepare Cornbread Batter: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Jiffy cornbread mix, egg, and milk until smooth with no lumps.
  5. Assemble the Pie: Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the meat mixture in the skillet. Use a spatula or butter knife to gently push the batter to the edges and smooth the surface. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
  6. Bake: Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked through, and the filling is bubbly.
  7. Rest and Serve: Allow the tamale pie to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Add optional toppings like sour cream, cilantro, green onions, and black olives as desired. Enjoy!

Notes

  • If you do not have an oven-proof skillet, cook the filling in a regular pan then transfer it to a baking dish before adding the cornbread batter and baking.
  • Check seasoning before baking; adjust salt as needed since taco seasoning and enchilada sauce can vary in sodium.
  • The potato masher tip helps to create a finer ground meat texture, improving the overall eating experience.
  • Optional toppings enhance flavor and presentation but are not necessary for the core recipe.

Keywords: tamale pie, cornbread casserole, ground beef recipe, easy Mexican casserole, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/easy-jiffy-tamale-pie-recipe/