How to Make Tamale Pie

Last minute and you need to feed a starving crowd? Need a simple dish to feed six to eight people? Our Chili Tamale pie might be the answer!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 large baking dish
• 1 large can chili beans
• 1 box corn bread mix
• 1 large can corn
• 1 diced onion
• 1 large can diced tomato
• 1 large diced chilis

1. Grease the inside and bottom of the large baking dish. Pre-heat the oven to the temperature listed on the box for the corn bread mix. (Usually it's something like 350 degrees.)

2. Open the cans of chili beans, corn and tomatoes. Drain each can, but save the liquid. You can rinse the beans in cold water if you want to reduce the sodium content of the canned beans.

3. Mix all the drained canned ingredients and the chopped onion in a sauce pan and heat until hot. Then pour the heated ingredients into the baking dish. Season to taste with chil powder, cayenne pepper, garlic, etc.

4. In a clean bowl, prepare the corn bread mix according to package directions. Spoon the corn bread mix on top of the chile mixture in the baking dish. Smooth the corn bread mix to the edges to completely cover the chili mixture.

5. Place the filled baking dish on the middle rack in the oven. Bake according to the instructions on the corn bread mix box.

6. Remove baking dish from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. You can use this time to make a quick salad and cool beverages.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want more spice, add more spices, hot sauce, chili powder or use Staggs chili beans instead of regular canned beans.
• If you rinse the canned chili beans, it will reduce the sodium content but I think it also reduces the flavor.
• Be careful what corn bread mix you use. I found 2 boxes of Jiffy Corn Bread mix works great. You want the batter to be thick, not cake-like.
• If you forget to drain the canned beans, corn and tomatoes, your mixture may be too soupy. It is best to drain everything and save the liquid, in case the mixture is too dry. You can always add water if the mixture is too thick.

[booksrme]

on 7/22/2009 Looks good and fast! I would just mix my own cornbread batter, doesn't take much longer.

[BVCC]

on 10/31/2008 If you are a meat eater, add browned hamburger or clooked shredded chicken to make this a full course meal!