Easy Tamale Pie Recipe

Written by
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich is a food writer, recipe video producer, and culinary school instructor with more than 20 years of experience in the food industry.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
John Mitzewich
Updated 07/15/19
Easy tamale pie recipe

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Total: 75 mins
Servings: 8 servings

This tamale pie recipe is one of the great American casseroles. Spicy beef, sweet corn, and cheese sandwiched between layers of cornbread. This tamale pie is simple to make and uses Jiffy corn muffin mix to speed things up.
Of course, this will also work perfectly with your favorite homemade cornbread recipe.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 cups diced peppers (of your choice)
  • 1 (16-ounce) jar roasted tomato salsa
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin/bread mix (or enough cornbread batter for two 9 x 9 -inch pans)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 4 ounces cheddar cheese (divided)
  • 4 ounces pepper jack cheese (divided)
  • 8 ounces frozen corn (thawed)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for easy tamale pie
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga 

  2. Place a large pan over medium heat and add the beef and peppers. Using a wooden spoon, break up the meat into small pieces while it cooks.

    Beef and peppers
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. Once the meat is in small pieces, add the salsa, salt, chipotle, and oregano. Cook stirring occasionally for 15 minutes. Continue to break up any larger pieces of beef as it simmers.

    Add sauce
    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Remove from heat and reserve. Skim any residual fat that comes to the surface.

    Remove from heat
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish.

    Grease pan
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  6. Mix up one of the boxes of Jiffy according to directions, and spread evenly in the bottom of the dish.

    Add batter
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  7. Top with the corn and then half the cheese.

    Add cheese
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  8. Spoon over the beef mixture evenly, and press down lightly.

    Add beef
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  9. Mix up the other box of Jiffy and fold in the remaining cheese.

    Mix Jiffy
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  10. Spread evenly over the top, leaving a small space (1/2-inch) around the edges.

    Spread over
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  11. Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet pan to catch any drips, and place in a preheated 350 F oven.

    Bake
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  12. Bake for 1 hour.

  13. Allow to rest for 15 minutes.

    Serve
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  14. Serve and enjoy!

    Easy tamale pie
    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga