Tamale Pie is a way to enjoy all of the great flavors of Tamales, without all the work of individually wrapping each one. I took a spicy meat filling and topped it with a sweet cornbread for the perfect combination of smokey, sweet and spicy.
To make this #dinnerdoneby9am I fully assemble in the morning, without baking, refrigerate all day, then bake just prior to serving.
Filling
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-2 pounds lean ground beef
-1 onion, chopped
-1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
-4 cloves garlic, chopped
-1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes with chiles
-1 cup beef broth
-1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
-1 (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
-1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1 tsp smoked paprika
-1 teaspoon ground cumin
-1 tsp oregano
-1 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cornbread Topping
-1 cup all purpose flour
-1 c cornmeal
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/2 tsp baking soda
-1/2 c butter, melted
-2/3 c sugar
-2 eggs
-1 c plain yogurt
-(optional) 1 c cheddar cheese
-(optional) sliced pickled jalapenos
For the filling; heat oil in a large pan, over medium high heat. Add the beef, cooking until it is no longer pink (10 minutes), breaking up with a wooden spoon while cooking. Drain off fat, then add the onion and bell pepper, cooking and stirring for an additional 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cook 1 additional minute, stirring constantly. Add the tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, kidney beans, brown sugar/honey, chili powder, paprika cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring intermittently, for 5 minutes. Spread filling into a greased 9×13 dish.
For the cornbread topping; in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, salt and baking soda. In a different bowl, combine melted butter and sugar. Stir in eggs. Then stir in yogurt. Stir the butter mixture into the flour mixture. Spread batter on top of the filling. If using, sprinkle the cheese on top of the cornbread, then top with jalapeno slices. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the cornbread comes out clean.
