Cornbread Topped Tamale Pie

This is a quick, hearty comfort dish which is easy to make. It tastes like tamales, without the work! I am always asked for the recipe wherever I make it. You can make the meat mixture ahead of time, and just do the cornbread when you are ready to bake.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 (8 1/2ounce) box  cornbread mix (I use Jiffy)
• 1  egg
• 1⁄3 cup milk
• 1  pinch black pepper (less to taste)
• 1  lb ground beef, browned drained & rinsed
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1 (4 ounce) can  chopped green chilies
• 1 (2 1/4ounce) can  sliced black olives, drained
• 1 (15 1/4ounce) can corn, drained

Directions

1. Mix corn bread mix, egg, and milk and let set.
2. Brown ground beef in 1 cup water for fine crumbles. Drain and rinse fat.
3. Mix all non-cornbread ingredients.
4. Spray or grease an 8x8 pan.
5. Spread all of meat mixture in pan.
6. Carefully pour cornbread on top.
7. Bake 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until a toothpick in the cornbread's center is clean.