One-Pan Beef Tamale Pie Recipe (30 Minutes, Easy!)

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Are you searching for easy meals with ground beef that don’t compromise on flavor? This Beef Tamale Pie is your answer to those hectic weeknights when you need something hearty, delicious, and ready in under 30 minutes. Combining seasoned ground beef, black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a golden cornbread topping all baked in one skillet, this recipe delivers comfort food at its finest with minimal cleanup required.

Whether you’re new to hamburger meat recipes or a seasoned home cook looking for quick dinner ideas, this tamale pie checks all the boxes. It’s budget-friendly, customizable, and guaranteed to become a family favorite. Let’s dive into this incredibly satisfying ground meat recipes for dinner that transforms simple ingredients into something spectacular!

Why This Beef Tamale Pie Is a Game-Changer

This recipe stands out among quick and easy dinner recipes for several compelling reasons. First, it’s truly a one-pan wonder everything cooks in a single cast-iron skillet, which means less time scrubbing dishes and more time enjoying your meal. The combination of savory seasoned beef filling with a slightly sweet, fluffy cornbread topping creates an irresistible texture contrast that keeps you coming back for more.

The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility. While we’re using ground beef here, you can easily substitute with ground chicken recipes variations or even ground turkey for a leaner option. The Mexican-inspired flavors chili powder, jalapeños, fire-roasted tomatoes bring bold taste without requiring a long ingredient list or complicated techniques. This makes it perfect for those lazy dinners when you want something homemade but don’t have the energy for elaborate cooking.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we get cooking, let’s gather everything you need for this fantastic dinner ideas with ground beef. The ingredients are straightforward and likely already in your pantry:

Essential Kitchen Equipment

To make this recipe seamlessly, you’ll need a few key tools. A 10-inch cast-iron skillet is essential for this recipe as it goes from stovetop to oven effortlessly and distributes heat evenly. You’ll also need a cutting board and chef’s knife for chopping the onion and jalapeños, measuring cups and spoons for accuracy, and mixing bowls to prepare the cornbread batter.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Beef Filling

1. Preheat your oven
Set your oven to 425°F and allow it to fully preheat while you prepare the filling. This high temperature ensures the cornbread topping gets beautifully golden and the filling stays hot throughout.

2. Brown the beef and onion
Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil in your 10-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion, cooking for 5-7 minutes while stirring often. Use your kitchen utensils to break up the beef into crumbles. You want the beef nicely browned and the onion softened and translucent.

3. Build the flavorful base
Stir in the undrained fire-roasted tomatoes, drained black beans, chili sauce, ¼ cup water, chili powder, salt, and one finely chopped jalapeño (seeds removed for less heat). Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, which helps meld all those delicious flavors together. Once boiling, remove from heat immediately.

4. Add the cheese layer
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese evenly over the hot beef mixture. This creates a gooey, melty layer between the filling and cornbread that’s absolutely divine.

Creating the Cornbread Topping

5. Mix the cornbread batter
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the corn muffin mix, whole milk, egg, and remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese. Mix just until combined overmixing can make the cornbread tough. The batter should be slightly lumpy, which is perfectly fine.

6. Top the filling
Pour the cornbread batter over the hot beef filling in the skillet, spreading it gently with a spatula to reach the edges. The batter doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth rustic is the vibe here! Thinly slice the remaining jalapeño and sprinkle the slices decoratively over the batter for visual appeal and extra kick.

7. Bake to perfection
Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown on top and springs back when lightly touched. A toothpick inserted into the cornbread should come out clean.

8. Rest and serve
Let the tamale pie rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly and makes serving much easier. Cut into wedges and serve hot!

Pro Tips for Perfect Tamale Pie

• Don’t skip the cast-iron skillet: The heat retention and even cooking of cast iron makes a significant difference in this recipe’s success.
• Adjust heat levels: For a milder version, remove all jalapeño seeds and membranes. For extra heat, leave some seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Make it your own: Try adding corn kernels, diced bell peppers, or even a handful of spinach to the beef mixture for added nutrition and color.
• Cheese variations: While sharp Cheddar is traditional, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend work beautifully.
• Prep ahead: You can prepare the beef filling up to 2 days in advance, refrigerate it, then reheat and top with fresh cornbread batter when ready to bake.
• Leftover magic: This reheats exceptionally well in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through.

Customization Ideas

One of the best aspects of easy hamburger meat recipes like this is their adaptability. Here are some variations to try:

• Vegetarian version: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans and add sautéed mushrooms for meaty texture
• Lighter option: Use ground turkey or chicken breast, reduced-fat cheese, and add extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers
• Spicier kick: Add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the beef mixture or use pepper jack cheese instead of Cheddar
• Southwest style: Stir in a cup of frozen corn and swap black beans for pinto beans
• Tex-Mex twist: Add taco seasoning to the beef and top the finished pie with sour cream, guacamole, and fresh cilantro

Serving Suggestions

This Beef Tamale Pie is hearty enough to serve as a complete meal on its own, but these accompaniments take it to the next level:

• Fresh green salad with lime vinaigrette
• Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice
• Tortilla chips and fresh salsa
• Sliced avocado or guacamole
• Sour cream and chopped fresh cilantro
• Pickled jalapeños for extra heat lovers

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place portions in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or microwave individual servings for 2-3 minutes until heated through. The cornbread topping may soften slightly upon reheating, but the flavors remain delicious. You can even freeze this dish for up to 2 months just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Why Ground Beef Recipes Are Weeknight Winners

Ground beef remains one of the most versatile and economical proteins available, making it perfect for healthy dinner recipes that don’t break the bank. It cooks quickly, absorbs flavors beautifully, and provides satisfying protein that keeps you full. This recipe showcases how a simple pound of ground beef can transform into a restaurant-quality meal with just a few complementary ingredients and minimal effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe in a different pan?

While a cast-iron skillet is ideal, you can use any oven-safe skillet or transfer the cooked filling to a 9×9-inch baking dish before topping with cornbread batter. Adjust baking time as needed glass or ceramic dishes may require a few extra minutes.

Can I use homemade cornbread instead of a mix?

Absolutely! Use your favorite cornbread recipe but reduce the sugar slightly as the savory filling balances better with a less-sweet topping. You’ll need about 2 cups of prepared batter.

How do I know when the cornbread is fully cooked?

The cornbread should be golden brown on top and spring back when gently pressed. Insert a toothpick into the center it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Can I make this ahead for meal prep?

Yes! Prepare the beef filling and refrigerate separately from the dry cornbread mix. When ready to eat, reheat the filling in your skillet, prepare fresh batter, top, and bake as directed.

What if I don’t like spicy food?

Simply omit the jalapeños entirely or use mild green chiles instead. You can also reduce the chili powder to 1 teaspoon and use mild chili sauce. The dish will still have wonderful Southwestern flavor without the heat.

Can I double this recipe?

You can double the ingredients but you’ll need to use a larger skillet or two separate skillets. A 12-inch cast-iron skillet works well for a doubled recipe. Increase baking time by 5-7 minutes and check for doneness.

Nutritional Benefits

Beyond being delicious, this Beef Tamale Pie offers solid nutrition. Ground beef provides high-quality protein and essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Black beans add fiber, protein, and additional minerals. The tomatoes contribute vitamin C and lycopene, while the cornbread offers energy-providing carbohydrates. By serving this with a side salad, you create a well-balanced meal that satisfies both taste buds and nutritional needs.

Final Thoughts

This Beef Tamale Pie exemplifies what makes quick and easy dinner recipes so appealing maximum flavor with minimal effort and cleanup. Whether you’re cooking for picky kids, hosting casual friends, or simply treating yourself to comfort food after a long day, this recipe delivers every single time. The combination of textures, the perfect seasoning balance, and the one-pan convenience make it an unbeatable choice for busy households.

So next time you’re wondering what to make with that pound of ground beef in your fridge, remember this recipe. It’s proof that dinner ideas with ground beef can be exciting, wholesome, and utterly satisfying without requiring hours in the kitchen or professional cooking skills.

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One-Pan Beef Tamale Pie Recipe (30 Minutes, Easy!)

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This Beef Tamale Pie combines seasoned ground beef, black beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes topped with golden cornbread all baked in one skillet for the ultimate quick weeknight dinner.

• Author: Alex
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 pound lean ground beef

1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped (about 1½ cups)

1 (14.5-oz.) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained

1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

½ cup bottled chili sauce

1 tablespoon chili powder

1½ teaspoons kosher salt

2 large jalapeño chiles, divided

6 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1½ cups), divided

1 (8.5-oz.) package corn muffin mix

½ cup whole milk

1 large egg

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over high. Add beef and onion; cook, stirring often, until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes.

2. Stir in tomatoes, beans, chili sauce, ¼ cup water, chili powder, salt, and 1 finely chopped and seeded jalapeño. Bring to a boil, and remove from heat. Sprinkle top with 1 cup of the cheese.

3. Whisk together corn muffin mix, milk, egg, and remaining ½ cup cheese. Pour batter over hot filling in skillet, spreading batter to edges of skillet. Thinly slice remaining jalapeño; sprinkle slices over top of batter.

4. Bake in preheated oven until cornbread is golden brown, 18 to 22 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a milder version, remove all jalapeño seeds and membranes.

This reheats beautifully in the oven or air fryer at 350°F.

You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.