Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish, ensuring your Tamale Pie doesn’t stick. This is crucial for a beautiful presentation.
In a large skillet, heat the pan over medium heat and add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, stirring occasionally. You’ll want to break it up into smaller pieces for even cooking.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet for the last 30 seconds of cooking. The aroma will be incredible as it melds with the beef and onions.
Once cooked, drain the mixture to remove excess fat. This keeps the filling from becoming greasy, ensuring a balanced flavor.
Now, return the skillet to the heat and add the drained diced tomatoes, corn, red enchilada sauce, green chiles, olives, chili powder, and ground cumin. Stir everything together and cook for about 5 minutes. You want the liquid to reduce slightly, creating a flavorful mixture.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. This is your chance to adjust the flavors as you like, making it uniquely yours.
Pour the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. This will serve as the hearty base of your Tamale Pie.
For the cornmeal topping, combine the cornmeal, melted butter, eggs, milk, cheddar cheese, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir until well combined; the mixture should be smooth.
Carefully pour the cornmeal mixture over the beef mixture in the baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the top. This will create a nice crust as it bakes.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the cornmeal topping is firm and slightly golden brown. The edges may even bubble slightly, which is a great sign!
Once baked, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This helps it set up nicely. Serve your Tamale Pie warm, topped with a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, or pico de gallo for added flavor.
Enjoy every bite and store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. This dish is just as tasty the next day, making it perfect for meal prep!
