Old-School Tamale Pie

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 0.5 cups chopped green bell pepper
• 1 can diced tomatoes , 14.5 ounce
• 1 can tomato sauce , 8 ounce
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 can sliced black olives , 2.25 ounce
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes , or to taste
• 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. 2

   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in the hot skillet until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease.

3. 3

   Stir tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, olives, chili powder, garlic, cumin, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper into the skillet. Bring to a low boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup Cheddar cheese and continue to simmer until melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.

4. 4

   Heat milk, butter, sugar, and salt for topping in a large saucepan over medium heat until butter has melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in cornmeal a little at a time, stirring vigorously with each addition, until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup Cheddar cheese. Drizzle in beaten eggs slowly, stirring vigorously until combined. Pour mixture over filling in the prepared dish, smoothing evenly over the surface.

5. 5

   Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. Allow pie to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.