Slow Cooker Tamale Pie – A Hearty, Flavor-Packed Dinner with Layers of Savory Beef, Cornbread

If you love the flavors of tamales but want a simpler way to enjoy them, this Slow Cooker Tamale Pie is the perfect solution. With seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and a rich enchilada sauce, all topped with a fluffy cornbread layer and melted cheese, this dish brings all the deliciousness of tamales in a fraction of the time. Plus, since it’s made in the slow cooker, it’s incredibly easy—just set it and forget it, and let your kitchen fill with the mouthwatering aroma of tamale pie cooking to perfection!

Scroll down for the recipe!

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Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Tamale Pie

This tamale pie is the ultimate comfort food, combining layers of flavorful, seasoned beef with a tender, slightly sweet cornbread topping. The combination of beans, tomatoes, and enchilada sauce adds a delicious Tex-Mex twist, while the melted Mexican cheese blend gives it a creamy, cheesy finish. It’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any time you want a warm, hearty meal without a lot of fuss.

The Inspiration Behind Slow Cooker Tamale Pie

This recipe takes the flavors of traditional tamales and turns them into a simple, slow-cooked dish. While making tamales from scratch can be a labor-intensive process, this tamale pie offers all the same bold flavors but with minimal effort. The beef and beans are cooked slowly with enchilada sauce to develop a rich, hearty filling, while the cornbread layer on top gives the dish its signature tamale-like taste.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Based on 8 Servings):

• Calories: 400 kcal
• Fat: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 18g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fiber: 6g

This tamale pie is hearty and satisfying, packed with protein and fiber, making it a great option for a filling family dinner.

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Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This Slow Cooker Tamale Pie pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad, guacamole, or sour cream to balance out the rich, hearty flavors. For an extra pop of flavor, try topping it with some fresh cilantro or jalapeño slices. You can also serve it with tortilla chips on the side for some added crunch. A refreshing drink like iced tea or a glass of lemonade would complement the bold, savory flavors perfectly!

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the whole dish in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes. If you’re planning to freeze the tamale pie, let it cool completely before freezing in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Fun Fact: The Origins of Tamale Pie

Tamale pie has been a favorite dish in the American Southwest for generations, combining the flavors of tamales with the ease of casserole-style cooking. Traditional tamales are made with masa (corn dough) and filled with meat, beans, or cheese, then wrapped in corn husks and steamed. This tamale pie version keeps the essential flavors but skips the wrapping and steaming, making it much simpler to prepare at home.

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Cooking Tips

• Don’t Overmix the Cornbread: When preparing the cornbread topping, mix just until combined to keep it light and fluffy. Overmixing can make the cornbread dense.
• Make It Spicy: If you like your tamale pie with a bit more heat, add diced jalapeños to the meat mixture or use a spicier enchilada sauce.
• Use Fresh Corn: While canned corn is convenient, you can also use fresh or frozen corn for a more vibrant flavor. Just make sure to drain or thaw it before adding to the slow cooker.
• Pre-Brown the Beef: Browning the beef before adding it to the slow cooker adds extra flavor and helps break down the fat, so don’t skip this step!

Optional Variations

• Vegetarian Tamale Pie: Skip the ground beef and use more black beans or pinto beans, along with sautéed peppers, onions, and zucchini for a vegetarian version.
• Turkey Tamale Pie: Substitute ground turkey for the beef for a lighter version of this dish that’s still packed with flavor.
• Cheesy Overload: Add a layer of shredded cheese between the meat mixture and the cornbread topping for an extra cheesy tamale pie.

Slow Cooker Tamale Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 (15.25 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilis, undrained
• 1 (11 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce
• 2 green onions, diced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 (8.5 oz) package Jiffy Cornbread Mix
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink, then drain any excess grease.
2. Season the beef: Stir in the cumin, salt, chili powder, and pepper.
3. Transfer to the slow cooker: Add the beef to your slow cooker and stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilis, corn, enchilada sauce, green onions, and cilantro.
4. Cook the filling: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until heated through.
5. Prepare the cornbread topping: In a small bowl, combine the Jiffy cornbread mix with the eggs. Spoon the mixture over the meat in the slow cooker.
6. Finish cooking: Cover and cook for an additional 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean.
7. Add the cheese: Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend on top of the cornbread. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
8. Serve: Spoon the tamale pie onto plates and serve with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, or fresh cilantro.

This Slow Cooker Tamale Pie is a simple, hearty dish that’s full of bold, savory flavors. It’s the perfect comfort food for family dinners, and it’s sure to be a hit every time you serve it!