Description
This Slow Cooker Tamale Pie with Cornbread Topping is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for an easy weeknight meal. Ground beef is cooked with bell peppers, onions, beans, tomatoes, and spices, then topped with a cornbread mixture and slow-cooked to perfection. The melted cheddar cheese adds a rich touch throughout the filling, making this dish flavorful and filling.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. ground cumin
- 20 oz. Rotel Tomatoes (two 10 oz. cans)
- 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (added later)
Cornbread Topping
- 1 8.5-oz. pkg. Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 8.5 oz. can corn, drained (small can)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain the excess fat to reduce grease in the filling.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, chili powder, salt, black pepper, ground cumin, Rotel tomatoes, pinto beans, and tomato paste. Stir everything well to combine.
- Slow Cook Filling: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 5 hours, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to soften.
- Add Cheese: After the slow cooking time, open the slow cooker and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and fully incorporated into the filling.
- Prepare Cornbread Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the Jiffy corn muffin mix, egg, milk, and drained corn until just combined. Some lumps are fine and will give texture to the topping.
- Top and Cook Topping: Spread the cornbread mixture evenly over the meat filling in the slow cooker. Cover again and switch the slow cooker to HIGH. Cook for an additional 30 minutes until the topping is set and cooked through.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the tamale pie hot directly from the slow cooker for a delicious and easy meal.
Notes
- Make sure to drain excess grease after browning the beef to keep the filling from being too oily.
- The cheese is added near the end to keep it melty and flavorful throughout the filling.
- The cornbread topping can have some lumps; it will bake perfectly in the slow cooker.
- For a spicier version, add extra chili powder or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- This recipe can be doubled if you have a larger slow cooker or want leftovers.
Keywords: slow cooker tamale pie, tamale pie recipe, cornbread topping, easy slow cooker meals, ground beef tamale pie, comfort food, Mexican-inspired casserole