Sausage-Bean Tamale Bake

The ever-popular pork and beans in a hearty and inexpensive casserole. Tamale topping include in recipe.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• FOR CASSEROLE

• 3⁄4 lb  sweet  Italian sausage (or hot, as you prefer)
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 1 (20 3/4ounce) can  pork and beans in tomato sauce
• 3  tablespoons tomato juice or 3  tablespoons water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder

• FOR TAMALE TOPPING

• 2⁄3 cup buttermilk baking mix
• 1⁄3 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1  egg
• 1⁄4 cup milk

Directions

1. CASSEROLE:.
2. Remove sausages from casings and crumble into a large skillet. Cook until browned, drain, set aside and reserve 1 tbsp of the pan drippings.
3. Add onion and garlic to skillet. Sauté until tender.
4. Stir in sausage, beans, tomato juice and chili powder. Turn into a greased shallow
5. 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Spoon tamale topping around edge of dish and bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until topping is golden brown. A cool cucumber salad goes especially well with this dish.
6. TAMALE TOPPING:.
7. Mix baking mix, cornmeal and chili powder. Add egg and milk. Stir only until dry ingredients are moistened.