Jiffy Tamale Pie

Craving something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen? This Jiffy Tamale Pie is the answer, where savory ground beef meets a golden cornbread crust in perfect harmony! Dinner will be ready on the table in just one hour.

Say hello to your new favorite dinner recipe: Jiffy Tamale Pie. This dish takes the classic flavors of a traditional tamale and transforms them into a convenient and delicious pie that’s perfect for any night of the week.

The savory beef mixture, combined with the tender cornbread base, creates a mouthwatering meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Easy to prepare in just one hour and incredibly satisfying, it’s a go-to recipe for those nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus it makes a great meal prep recipe that can be stored in the freezer or fridge for a busy week.

We also made sure during our recipe testing to give other options for the cornbread mixture. We provide a recipe for a homemade cornbread mix, as well as a biscuit crust, and a gluten-free cornbread option too. Read more to find out!

Once you become a fan of this casserole dinner recipe, you’ve GOT to try my Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole and Frito Chili Pie! They combine a similar sweet cornbread with your favorite flavors of the classic sloppy Joe sandwich and bowl of chili!

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

• Ideal Meal Any Night of the Week: Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this tamale pie brings the best of comfort food to your table with minimal effort. The whole family will love it!
• Easy Recipe to Make: This tamale pie with Jiffy has simple ingredients and simple steps! It’s such a delicious recipe!
• Comforting and Hearty: The layers of cheesy, meaty goodness on top of a golden, fluffy cornbread crust make this easy dinner a guaranteed feel-good, crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Recipe amounts and instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

• Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix: Jiffy mix forms the base of the cornbread topping, providing a slightly sweet contrast to the savory filling.
• Large Egg: Helps bind the cornbread mixture together.
• Light Sour Cream: Adds moisture and a tangy flavor to the cornbread base.
• Canned Creamed Corn: Adds creaminess and a subtle sweetness to the cornbread mixture.
• Chopped Jarred Jalapeños (optional): Adds a touch of heat and tang to the dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cornbread. It’s also used for sautéing the onions and garlic, adding richness and flavor.
• Chopped Onion: Adds a sweet, savory depth to the beef mixture.
• Cumin and Chili Powder: Essential spices that provide the signature Mexican flavor.
• Minced Garlic: Adds a robust, aromatic flavor.
• Ground Beef: The main protein component, providing a hearty base for the pie.
• Red Enchilada Sauce: Adds moisture and a rich, tangy flavor to the beef mixture.
• Sliced Black Olives (optional): Adds a briny, slightly salty flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Medium or Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds a gooey, melty layer of goodness that ties the whole dish together.

Laura Ashley’s Tip: Feel free to swap the ground beef for ground chicken or ground turkey. These can be leaner options for this tamale pie and still so delicious!

Tools You’ll Need

• Large Cast Iron Skillet (12-inch) or 13″x9″ Baking Dish
• Medium Skillet
• Meat Chopper
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Cutting Board
• Chef’s Knife

How to Make Jiffy Tamale Pie

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. 
2. For the cornbread layer, in a medium bowl, combine Jiffy cornmeal muffin mix, egg, sour cream, canned cream corn, and chopped jalapeños (if using). Mix until just combined.

3. Pour the mixture into a buttered 12-inch cast-iron skillet or 13″x9″ baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. 

4. For the beef mixture, in a large skillet, heat the butter and oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

5. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Crumble and cook until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Season with fresh garlic, cumin, chili powder and seasoning salt or salt, black pepper. Cook for another minute.

6. Carefully remove the cornbread base from the oven. Poke holes all over the surface.

7. Pour half of the can of enchilada sauce over the cornbread. Top with the beef mixture, spreading out evenly. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the beef mixture and top with shredded cheese. 

8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and broil on high an additional 3-5 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes (otherwise it will fall apart when serving). 

9. Garnish with guacamole, pico de Gallo, sour cream, and/or salsa.

Pro Tips and Substitutions

• Meat Substitutions: You can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken.
• Spice Level: Opt for green chilies instead of jalapeños if you want a milder cornbread crust. If you’d like a spicy beef mixture, add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. You can also opt for a spicy red enchilada sauce.
• Seasoning Alternatives: Taco seasoning can be used in place of cumin and chili powder.
• Cheese Options: Besides cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, and a Mexican cheese blend work great as well.
• Extra Veggies: If you’re looking to add more veggies, you can add chopped green bell pepper, canned green chiles, or spinach.

Homemade Cornbread and Swaps

If you prefer a homemade sweet cornbread base instead of Jiffy, here is an easy substitute:

• ⅔ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup medium grind yellow cornmeal, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt

You can also substitute Jiffy Cornbread mix with another sweet brand cornbread mix.

Swap out the cornbread completely and use canned biscuit dough for an easy crust. In this case, you’ll need a 10-12 ounce can of refrigerated biscuit dough. Quarter the biscuits then incorporate in one of these ways:

• Pour the ground beef mixture in the baking dish, top with cheese, then top with the biscuit pieces.
• Fold the biscuit dough into the sloppy Joe meat mixture, pour the mixture into the baking dish, then top with cheese.

Make the tamale pie gluten-free by swapping the Jiffy Cornbread mix with a gluten-free alternative to make this dish gluten-free. Ensure your enchilada sauce is gluten-free as well.

What to Serve with Jiffy Tamale Pie

This easy tamale pie recipe is a hearty and flavorful main dish on its own, but pairing it with the right side dishes and your favorite toppings can elevate it even further.

Some delicious options that complement the savory and sweet flavors of the beef tamale casserole are a simple green salad, guacamole, pico de Gallo, a dollop of sour cream, refried beans, black beans, and Mexican rice.

Storage and Freezing

• For the Fridge: Leftover beef tamale pie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

• Storing in the Freezer: Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
  
• Make Ahead Instructions: You can freeze the assembled but unbaked pie as well. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Comforting Recipes Like This

• Frito Taco Casserole
• Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
• Jiffy Corn Casserole
• Green Enchilada Chicken Soup