Tasty Tamale Pie - Casserole

Name: Tasty Tamale Pie - Casserole
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef, cooked and drained; 1 small onion, fine dice; 16 ounces bottled salsa, any heat preference I like medium; 1/3 cup water; 1 (7/8 ounce) packet taco seasoning, Chi Chi's Fiesta is my preference; 3 ounces ripe black olives, chopped (optional); 1 cup cornmeal, dry; 12 ounces evaporated milk, I have used whole milk; 4 ounces green chilies, canned, diced; 1 cup monterey jack pepper cheese, divided, grated, sub. cheddar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 jalapeno, sliced

(7)

Recipe by Chicagoland Chef du

This recipe is from our grammar school cookbook. Thank you Kathy G! My DH made this and I was truly impressed. This can be made as mild or as spicy as you like. Choose your salsa, cheese & amount of jalapeno according to your taste. Olives are optional. I also like to make the salsa smoother in the food processor to make it more kid friendly (no pieces!). I have used both condensed and regular whole milk with success, also combined bottled and fresh salsa.

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READY IN: 1hr

SERVES: 6

UNITS: US

INGREDIENTS

Nutrition

FILLING
1

lb lean ground beef, cooked and drained
1

small onion, fine dice
16

ounces bottled salsa, any heat preference I like medium
¹⁄₃

cup water
1

(7/8 ounce) packet taco seasoning, Chi Chi's Fiesta is my preference
3

ounces ripe black olives, chopped (optional)
CRUST
1

cup cornmeal, dry
12

ounces evaporated milk, I have used whole milk
4

ounces green chilies, canned, diced
1

cup monterey jack pepper cheese, divided, grated, sub. cheddar
1

teaspoon salt
1

jalapeno, sliced

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400°.
Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet until beef is browned, and onions tender, drain.
Stir in salsa (can make smoother in texture in the food processor, if you desire), water and taco seasoning packet; bring to a boil until some of the water as boiled off and it is the sauce is saucy not thin and watery.
Reduce heat to low and stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes. Add olives, if using, and stir.
In a medium sauces pan: combine cornmeal, evaporated milk, green chilies, 1/2 C cheese and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 5-7 minutes or until thickened (to the consistency of thin oatmeal).
In a 8x8 ungreased baking dish: Spoon in meat filling, then spread cornmeal on top of meat mixture.
Bake for 25 minutes, sprinkle with remaining cheese and garnish w/ jalapenos. Bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

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