This simple tamale casserole recipe may have your loved ones operating to the dinner desk! With seasoned floor beef, melted cheese, and a gentle cornbread crust, itâs consolation meals at its best.
Itâs a lot simpler to organize than precise tamales, however might be simply as properly cherished!

The flavour of conventional tamales in casserole kind!
My daughter is a big fan of tamales, and he or she is at all times asking me to make them. However I helped a pal make home made tamales years in the past, and it was a lot work!
Coping with the corn husks was a ache within the bottom, and actually, I donât love them sufficient to spend the hours it takes to make them.
However this casserole model? Not solely is it simple sufficient for a busy weeknight, I really prefer it higher than genuine tamales. Fortunately, my daughter cherished it simply as a lot!
How you can Make Floor Beef Tamale Casserole
- PREP â Cube the onion and jalapeno. Grate the cheese. Spray your casserole dish with cooking spray. Preheat your oven to 375°.
- MEAT MIXTURE â In a big nonstick skillet, prepare dinner and stir the floor beef and onion till the meat is browned. Stir within the jalapeno, salt, & pepper. Flip right down to medium warmth, then add the spices and garlic; prepare dinner for a minute. Add the beans, tomato, and corn. Cook dinner for 3-5 minutes, or till many of the liquid evaporates.
Unfold within the baking dish and sprinkle the cup of cheese excessive. - CORNBREAD BATTER â Stir collectively the cornbread combine, egg, and milk. Unfold over the cheese.
- BAKE â Cowl the dish with foil. Bake at 375° for about half-hour. Uncover and bake for one more 10 minutes.
- SERVE â You possibly can serve the casserole as is, however like most Mexican meals, toppings will take it to the following stage!
FAVORITE TOPPINGS:
- contemporary pico de gallo or salsa
- a spoonful of guacamole or diced avocados
- bitter cream
- diced inexperienced bell pepper (or different bell peppers)
- inexperienced onions or cilantro
- further grated cheese

When you’ve got leftovers, cowl the dish with plastic wrap or switch it to an hermetic container and retailer it within the fridge for 3-4 days.
PRO TIP:
- Protecting the dish with foil makes the crust extra intently resemble the feel of tamales. For a crispier crust, you’ll be able to bake it uncovered till the crust turns golden brown.
VARIATIONS:
- A can of diced inexperienced chiles can be utilized instead of the diced jalapeno.
- You should use kidney beans, or another kind if bean in the event you want.
- For a decrease fats dish, you should utilize floor turkey or floor hen instead of the meat.
- As an alternative of pepper jack, you should utilize Monterey jack, colby jack, or cheddar cheese.
- Instead of a combination, you may make home made cornbread. A half batch of my candy cornbread could be wonderful!

Extra Mexican Recipes:
Yield: 6 servings
Simple Tamale Casserole Recipe
This hearty casserole will rapidly grow to be a household favourite! Who can resist spicy meat combination topped with cheese and a candy cornbread crust. Scrumptious!
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook dinner Time
40 minutes
Whole Time
1 hour
Elements
- 1 pound lean floor beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 15 ounce can black beans, drained
- 1 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
Cornbread topping:
Directions
- Spray a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Preheat your oven to 375°.
- Cook dinner floor beef and onion in a big skillet over medium-high warmth for about 5 minutes, or till the meat is browned.
- Stir within the diced jalapeno, salt, and pepper.
- Flip the warmth right down to medium and add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, and minced garlic. Saute for a couple of minute or till aromatic.
- Add the black beans, tomatoes, and corn. Cook dinner and stir till many of the liquid has boiled off, about 3-5 minutes.
- Pour beef combination into the ready baking dish and unfold evenly. Sprinkle cheese excessive.
- In a medium bowl, mix the cornbread combine, egg, and milk. Whisk collectively simply till mixed. Unfold excessive of the cheese.
- Cowl the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375 levels for half-hour. Uncover and bake for one more 10 minutes.
- If desired, garnish together with your favourite taco toppings. We like pico or salsa and a bit of bitter cream. So, so good!
Notes
-You possibly can retailer leftovers within the fridge for 3-5 days.
Really helpful Merchandise
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Diet Info:
Yield:
6
Serving Dimension:
1
Quantity Per Serving:
Energy: 596Whole Fats: 23gSaturated Fats: 9gTrans Fats: 0gUnsaturated Fats: 11gLdl cholesterol: 118mgSodium: 1188mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 11gSugar: 19gProtein: 38g
If you need the flavour of tamales with out all of the work, you’ve got to do that simple recipe!