Rustic Pioneer Woman Tamale Pie Recipe: A Heartwarming Classic

Southwestern tamale pie ignites a flavor fiesta that electrifies dinner tables with its bold, mouthwatering charm.

Layers of savory ingredients meld into a culinary masterpiece that elevates humble weeknight meals.

Spicy meats and aromatic seasonings nestle beneath a golden cornbread crown, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

This hearty casserole transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience that sparks conversation and joy.

Family members will crave every single bite of this robust, soul-satisfying dish.

Rich with tradition and packed with Southwest-inspired zest, this pie promises to become your new go-to comfort food.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 8

What to Use in Pioneer Woman Tamale Pie

• Ground Beef: Choose lean meat for less grease and richer flavor profiles.
• Chorizo: Select fresh sausage with robust spice blends for authentic zesty undertones.

• Onion, Red Bell Pepper: Pick firm, vibrant vegetables without blemishes for maximum crunch and sweetness.
• Garlic: Look for plump, compact cloves with tight, unbroken skin for intense aromatic qualities.

• Chopped Tomatoes: Opt for ripe, deep-colored tomatoes that feel heavy for exceptional juiciness.
• Kidney Beans: Select canned beans with no added salt for better flavor control.
• Adobo Sauce: Choose authentic Mexican-style sauce for genuine smoky complexity.

• Corn Muffin Mix: Pick reliable brand with consistent texture and flavor.
• Pepper Jack Cheese: Select freshly grated cheese for optimal melting and sharp tanginess.

Baking Gear for Tamale Pie

• Oven: Essential for baking the cornbread topping to golden perfection.
• 12-inch cast-iron skillet: Creates a hearty one-pan meal with amazing flavor and crispy edges.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for crumbling meat and stirring ingredients without scratching the skillet.
• Cutting board: Helps chop vegetables quickly and cleanly.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise chopping of onions, red bell peppers, and other ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for consistent results.
• Cheese grater: Helps create fresh, melty pepper jack cheese topping.
• Mixing bowl: Used for preparing cornbread batter and combining ingredients.

Steps to Build Your Tamale Pie

• Preheat and Prepare

Crank up your oven to a sizzling 400°F, creating the perfect environment for a mouthwatering culinary adventure. Grab your trusty cast-iron skillet and get ready to transform simple ingredients into a flavor-packed feast.

• Brown and Build

Toss ground beef and chorizo into the hot skillet, breaking them down with a wooden spoon. Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, letting the meats sizzle and caramelize. Quickly add diced onions and red bell peppers, stirring until they become soft and fragrant. Drop in minced garlic for an extra flavor punch.

• Simmer and Combine

Pour in chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, and a splash of adobo sauce. Let the mixture simmer gently, allowing the flavors to meld and create a rich, vibrant base that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

• Crown with Cornbread

Mix up a batch of corn muffin batter, stirring in a generous handful of pepper jack cheese. Carefully spread the cheesy cornbread mixture over the simmering meat filling, leaving a small border around the edges for that perfect rustic look.

• Bake and Devour

Sprinkle additional cheese on top and slide the skillet into the preheated oven. Bake until the cornbread turns a beautiful golden brown and the filling bubbles with anticipation. Let the pie rest for a few minutes after baking, then slice and serve up a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Add-ins and Tips for Tamale Pie

• Boost Flavor Fusion: Experiment with different sausage types like andouille or spicy Italian to add unique depth and kick to your meat mixture.
• Customize Cornbread Magic: Replace pepper jack with cheddar, smoked gouda, or monterey jack for a personalized cheesy twist that matches your taste preferences.
• Veggie Power-Up: Toss in diced zucchini, corn kernels, or spinach to amp up nutrition and create additional layers of texture and color in your skillet pie.
• Make-Ahead Meal Hack: Prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, pop it directly into the preheated oven and add 5-7 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Plating Your Tamale Pie the Right Way

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped cilantro or green onions on top for a burst of color and freshness that complements the rich, spicy flavors of the dish.
• Pair with Cool Sides: Serve alongside a crisp green salad or tangy coleslaw to balance the hearty, warm pie and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Create a Comfort Meal Combo: Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top to cool down the spiciness and create a creamy texture that melts into the pie.
• Customize with Hot Sauce: Let diners add their favorite hot sauce on the side, allowing everyone to adjust the heat level to their personal preference.

Keeping Tamale Pie Warm or Stored

• Preserve Peak Flavor: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping every delicious bite fresh and tasty.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring a quick comfort meal is always within reach.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or restore the entire dish's crispy top by baking at 350°F for 15-20 minutes in the oven.
• Meal Prep Magic: Split the casserole into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches, making weekday meals a breeze and saving precious time during busy schedules.

Hearty Pioneer Woman Tamale Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty pioneer woman tamale pie brings Tex-Mex comfort to dinner tables with layers of spicy ground beef, cornbread topping, and melted cheese. Families will savor this rustic skillet meal that delivers bold southwestern flavors in one satisfying dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• ½ lb (227 g) fresh chorizo, casings removed
• 1 can (19 oz or 540 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups (8 oz or 227 g) grated pepper jack cheese, divided
• 2 boxes (8.5 oz or 241 g each) corn muffin mix (e.g., Jiffy), plus ingredients listed on the package to prepare the mix
• 1 can (14.5 oz or 410 g) chopped tomatoes
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt
• ½ tsp (2.5 g) black pepper
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) adobo sauce, from a can of chipotle chiles

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef and chorizo in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, seasoning with salt and pepper. Crumble meats thoroughly while cooking for 4-6 minutes until deep brown.
2. Vegetable Integration: Add onions, red bell peppers, and garlic to the meat mixture. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften and release aromatic flavors.
3. Sauce and Bean Incorporation: Stir in chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, and adobo sauce. Simmer the mixture on low heat for 5 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld together.
4. Cornbread Topping Creation: Prepare corn muffin mix according to package instructions, folding in 2 cups of pepper jack cheese to create a rich, textured batter.
5. Assembly and Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Spread cheese-infused cornbread batter evenly over meat mixture, leaving a small border. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
6. Final Cooking and Resting: Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until cornbread turns golden and cheese becomes bubbly. Let the skillet pie rest for a few minutes before serving to allow layers to set.

Notes

• Skillet Selection: Use a 12-inch cast-iron skillet for optimal heat distribution and seamless stovetop-to-oven transition.
• Meat Browning Technique: Thoroughly crumble and brown ground beef and chorizo to develop deep, rich flavor profiles and prevent meat clumping.
• Cheese Integration: Fold cheese directly into corn muffin batter for enhanced flavor and smoother texture throughout the topping.
• Resting Period: Allow tamale pie to rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help layers set and make cutting and serving easier without falling apart.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg