Tamale Pie Recipe
Tamale Pie Recipe, One of those traditional American potluck casseroles is taco pie. It’s likely that the person who came up with the idea wanted to imitate the flavor of a real tamale in a cornbread dish.
Why Tamale Pie Is a Family Favorite
Tamale pie barely loosely matches the taste of authentic tamales and is not even really Mexican. However, it does have a fantastic flavor, is inexpensive, and easily feeds a large group.
What Are the Ingredients in Tamale Pie?
As a child, I always enjoyed tamale pie, which was fortunate because our school cafeteria frequently served it. Although pulled pork or a more conventional tamale stuffing might also be used, the tamale pie that comes to mind was made with ground beef, green chiles, olives, whole corn, and cornbread on top.
Where Does Tamale Pie Come From?
Tamale pie gained popularity as a student meal in high school cafeterias after it is believed to have originated in Texas sometime in the early 1900s. Beef, pig, chicken, chorizo, beans, and cheese with vegetables, cornbread, and/or creamed corn are examples of variations. When wheat was scarce like during World War II, this meal became exceptionally well-liked.
Some variations, like our Tamale Pie with Chicken, Green Chiles, and Cheese, have a cornbread topping while others, like this one, have a masa topping akin to an actual tamale.