FACS Classroom Grant
August 16, 2023
Braised Pork Pappardelle Putanesca
August 18, 2023Hot Tamale Casserole is a simple and easy casserole recipe with a cornmeal crust, ground pork and bean filling, and lots of cheese on top. It’s like a Mexican-inspired easy tamale pie that everyone will love.
Old School Tamale Pie
This easy tomale pie recipe is perfect easy casserole. As far as ground pork recipes go, this one is a sure winner. The best part is that it freezes well, so you can make it ahead of time or save some for later.
This recipe has a similar flavor profile to our Slow Cooker Taco Casserole or Walking Taco Casserole. But it doesn’t cook as quickly as our Ground Pork Quesadillas or Ground Pork Chili.
Hot Tamale Pie Recipe Ingredients
- Ground pork
- Yellow cornmeal
- Water
- Onion: Large, chopped
- Bell pepper: We suggest red or yellow, chopped
- Red kidney beans: drained
- Enchilada sauce
- Sliced black olives: drained
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded
- Seasonings: salt, cumin, cayenne pepper (optional)
How to Make Mexican Tomale Pie
Combine the cornmeal, cold water, salt, cumin and red pepper in a medium sized bowl.
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In medium saucepan bring the water to a boil. Slowly add cornmeal mixture; stirring constantly to make sure it does not lump. Return to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower heat and cook for 10 minutes or until very thick, stirring occasionally.
Spread the hot cornmeal mixture into a greased casserole dish. In a large nonstick skillet, cook the pork, onion, and sweet pepper until the pork is browned and the vegetables are tender.
Stir in beans, enchilada sauce and olives. Bring the mixutre to a boil. In a large skillet, cook the ground pork with chopped onion and bell pepper until the meat is browned nicely and the veggies are tender.
Pour the mixture over the cornbread base and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cornbred is firm.
I test cornbread by using a toothpick. When the cornbread is finished cooking, you should be able to poke into the cornbread and not have any sticky cornbread on the toothpick when you pull it out.
After the cornbread feels firm, cover with cheese and cook for an additional 3 minutes to melt the cheese. Remember, use as much cheese as you like. There’s no such thing as too much cheese in our book!
It smells so good when it comes out of the oven. Serve it with some sour cream on the side and enjoy.
Tomale Pie with Cornmeal
This recipe uses cornmeal for the base of the casserole. If you only have masa on hand, simply substitute the corn meal for masa.
Ground Pork Vs. Ground Beef
Both ground pork and beef can be used for this recipe, but we prefer the group pork. Ground pork has a slightly sweeter and milder flavor compared to ground beef. It can also have a more distinct pork taste. If you love pork like we do, the decision is simple!
Using ground pork in casseroles can result in a juicier and more tender texture when cooked. Ground pork tends to have a softer and less dense texture than ground beef. It can be easier to break apart and cook quickly.
Ground pork and beef’s nutritional composition can vary depending on the cut and fat content.
When choosing between ground pork and beef, consider the specific recipe you’re preparing and the flavors and textures you prefer. Both meats can be delicious and offer unique characteristics to enhance your dishes.
Masa vs Cornmeal
Masa and cornmeal have similar ingredients but are not the same. Cornmeal is a flour-like meal that is made from ground-dried corn. It can be ground to fine or coarse.
We suggest fine-ground cornmeal for this recipe. Masa is also made from ground-dried corn, but it is put through nixtamalization.
This process soaks the dried corn in an alkaline solution. This process can serve as benefit in many ways, including easier grinding and enhanced flavors.
Other Ground Pork Recipes
For quick and easy weeknight favorites try some Ground Pork Tacos to add a delicious twist to your traditional taco night. Or this Pork Lasagna, which is a classic lasagna made with seasoned ground pork.
Another quick weeknight recipe is a twist on traditional Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta with a combination of ground Italian sausage, pasta, and peppers.
This Easy Bierock Casserole combines ground pork, sausage, cabbage, cheddar cheese, and all the flavors of a classic bierock in a quick casserole with Pillsbury crescent rolls.
Hot Tamale Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup cold water
- ½ teaspoon salt divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 red or yellow bell pepper chopped
- One 15 1/2-oz can red kidney beans drained
- One 10-oz can enchilada sauce
- One 2 1/2-oz can sliced black olives drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a bowl combine the cornmeal, 1/2 cup cold water, ¼ teaspoon salt, cumin and red pepper; set aside.
- In medium saucepan bring the 1 1/4 cups water to a boil.
- Slowly add cornmeal mixture; stirring constantly to make sure it does not lump.
- Return to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower heat and cook for 10 minutes or until very thick, stirring occasionally.
- Spread the hot cornmeal mixture into a greased 7×12-inch casserole dish.
- Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet cook the pork, onion and bell pepper until pork is browned and vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the beans, enchilada sauce, olives and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil.
- Spoon the pork mixture over the cornmeal layer in the prepared dish, cover and bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle with cheese; bake uncovered for 3 minutes longer or until cheese melts.
