A warm and comforting dish that layers savory ground beef, black beans, and zesty tomatoes with a moist cornmeal topping, perfect for any occasion.

Scale

Preheat your oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion, stirring until the meat is browned and the onion softens—about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Add the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors together.
In a separate bowl, mix cornmeal, milk, and egg until smooth.
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour in half of the cornmeal mixture, spreading it evenly.
Layer the beef mixture over the cornmeal, then pour the remaining cornmeal mixture on top.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and optional black olives over everything.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and firm.
Allow it to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Top with chopped cilantro before serving.

Feel free to swap ground beef for turkey or plant-based options. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: tamale pie, Tex-Mex, comfort food, ground beef, family meals, casserole, easy recipes