Put a twist on your next Taco Tuesday and turn authentic tamales into a delicious crock pot tamale pie (or tamale casserole). All you need are just a few classic ingredients like ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, Mexican-style seasonings, and Jiffy cornbread for a meal your family is sure to enjoy.

If you’re looking to add to your tamale pie meal, try some of my favorite recipes like Slow Cooker Tomatillo Salsa and Slow Cooker Queso Blanco.

What is Tamale Pie?

Tamale pie is known for its casserole-like texture, thanks to the cornbread mixture topping. It’s a crock pot recipe that is perfect when you’re looking for comfort food with little prep and moderate cooking time.

I particularly enjoy the versatility wonderful recipes like these can have. Whether you want to serve it as is or use some of my serving suggestions below, you can’t go wrong trying different recipes like this one. I’m sure you are going to love it! We like to make a big batch of slow cooker ground beef, then make this easy tamale pie recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

• Beef: All you need is just a pound of ground beef. It should be cooked prior to adding it to the slow cooker.
• Veggies: A small white onion and green bell pepper are diced and added to give the pie taste and texture.
• Seasonings: Chili powder, salt, black pepper, and ground cumin are a quick homemade Mexican seasoning that adds plenty of Tex-Mex flavor.
• Tomatoes: Grab a couple of cans of Rotel Tomatoes to make adding diced tomatoes with the right flavor combination much easier.
• Beans: Pinto beans are drained and rinsed before tossing them into the crock pot as well.
• Tomato Paste: Add extra tomato flavor.
• Cheese: I recommend using a block and shredding your own sharp cheddar cheese.
• Tamale topping: You’ll need a box of Jiffy cornbread mix and the ingredients needed to make it (egg and milk). You’ll also add a can of corn (drained).

Step-by-Step Directions

Step One – Cook beef until no longer pink and add it to the crockpot along with the diced onion, bell pepper, canned corn, and other filling ingredients.

Step Two – Sprinkle over the taco seasoning and give the beef mixture a good stir to combine.

Step Three – Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours. Then sprinkle cheese over the cooked ground beef mixture and stir.

Step Four – In a medium mixing bowl, add the corn meal ingredients and stir until well combined.

Step Five – Cover the meat mixture with the cornmeal mixture.

Step Six – Cover the slow cooker, turn the heat setting to HIGH, and cook for 30 more minutes. Serve and enjoy!

How to Serve Tamale Pie

• Tamale pie is perfect as is, meaning you can spoon it directly from the slow cooker and enjoy it immediately.
• If you want to add toppings, consider sour cream, enchilada sauce, sliced green onions, green chiles, avocadoes, additional shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, hot sauce, and salsa.
• When it comes to sides, you can’t go wrong by serving it with black beans, refried beans, Mexican street corn, or a simple dip.
• The pie can also be scooped on top of tortilla chips or served in corn tortillas.

Recipe FAQs

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More Slow Cooker Pie Recipes

• Slow Cooker Apple Pie Baked Beans
• Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole
• Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie
• Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie {with Biscuits}
• Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup {Freezer Meal Friendly}