Layered Tamale Pie

Juju Bee's Note:

I originally got this recipe from my Great Grandma Ce. But I came up with the layered idea. Originally there were no corn tortillas, and it was more like a sort of meat loaf pie. This recipe is interesting, very tasty, and kid-friendly too!

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 1.0 Pie

• 3 teaspoons olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (1 ½ ounce) package taco seasoning
• ¾ cup water
• 2 ½ cups canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 ½ cups corn kernels
• 2⁄3; cup yellow cornmeal
• 8 corn tortillas
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese or 3 cups Mexican blend cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat oil in large skillet and add onions; cook until tender, but not brown.
3. Add beef, brown well and Drain.
4. Mix in the Taco Seasoning and 3/4 Cup water; let simmer for 5 minutes, uncovered, stirring frequently, until spice mixture is no longer runny.
5. Stir crushed tomatoes, corn, and cornmeal into the meat; mix well.
6. In an 9X9 round pyrex (or well greased metal) baking dish, place 4 of the 8 tortillas on the bottom, spread out, to cover the pan, add 1/2 of the meat mixture over the tortillas,and then 1/2 of the cheese.
7. Repeat this layering process, ending in cheese.
8. Place in oven to heat through, and melt cheese (about 25 minutes).
9. Cut into 8 pieces across, as you would a pie.
10. Serve!

Reviews

[Felines]

This was great! I did add green chilies to the onion/meat mixture but you could use bell pepper if you're worried about the heat. We loved it and I will definitely make again! Oh and I used a 10x10x2 corning ware pan after reading other reviews which worked for me. Next time, if I'm in a hurry, I'll use 2-10 oz. cans of Rotel in place of the onions, chilies and tomatoes.

[Cookin' Man]

Awesome! This is the best tamale pie recipe I have ever eaten! Most other tamale pie recipes are just a meat mixture on the bottom with cornbread baked on top. This recipe is more of a true 'pie' than any of the others. Definitely a keeper!

[jaynine]

This was really tasty, cut nicely, and the whole family enjoyed it. I did make just a few changes - I left out the corn meal, and used a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes (tomatoes with peppers) instead of plain crushed tomatoes, which gave it a little more bite. I also sprinkled some chopped jalapenos on top. This will be part of our regular rotation!