Easy Tamale Casserole — Tex-Mex Comfort in 30 Minutes!

This Easy Tamale Casserole gives you all the incredible flavor of homemade tamales in a fraction of the time — a spiced ground beef and corn filling topped with a fluffy cornbread crust and melted cheese, baked in one dish until golden and bubbling. Tex-Mex comfort at its best!

Why You’ll Love This

• All the flavor of tamales in 30 minutes instead of hours
• One baking dish, minimal cleanup
• That cornbread topping bakes into a perfect fluffy crust
• Deeply spiced beef filling with corn and peppers
• Feeds 6 — perfect for potlucks or weeknight dinners

Ingredients

Beef Filling

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• ½ cup beef broth

Cornbread Topping

• 1 box (8.5 oz) Jiffy cornbread mix
• 1 egg
• ⅓ cup milk
• 1 can (8 oz) creamed corn
• 1.5 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (divided)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Brown ground beef, drain fat. Add taco seasoning, tomato paste, broth, diced tomatoes, corn, and black beans. Simmer 5 min.
3. Transfer filling to a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with 1 cup of cheese.
4. Mix cornbread batter: Jiffy mix + egg + milk + creamed corn. Pour over filling. Top with remaining cheese.
5. Bake 25–30 minutes until cornbread is set and golden. Rest 5 min before serving.

Tip: The creamed corn in the batter makes the cornbread topping extra moist and gives it a wonderful sweet-savory flavor that perfectly complements the spiced beef.

Nutrition (per serving, serves 6)

• Calories: ~480 kcal
• Protein: 32g
• Carbs: 48g
• Fat: 18g

Serving Suggestions

• Top with sour cream, salsa, and fresh cilantro
• Serve with a simple green salad
• Add sliced jalapeños for extra heat
• Great with tortilla chips on the side

Storage

• Fridge: 4 days, reheat individual servings in microwave
• Freezer: wrap portions and freeze up to 3 months

FAQs

Can I use chicken instead of beef?

Yes — shredded rotisserie chicken works beautifully. Skip the browning step and just combine all filling ingredients. Ready in even less time with fantastic flavor.