Tamale Pie

By MarieR

Ingredients

• Topping:
• 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1 pound ground chuck
• 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 12 ounces fresh or frozen corn kernels (approximately 21/2 cups)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 cup green olives, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon butter

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350º.
In a large skillet over medium heat on stovetop, sauté onions and pepper in oil until soft.
Add ground chuck to vegetables and cook until browned. Add tomato sauce, corn, garlic, sugar, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until thick.
Stir in olives and cheese.
Transfer meat mixture to a 9-x-13-inch baking dish or casserole.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat on stovetop, bring water and salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Continue whisking until mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Stir in butter. Pour cornmeal topping evenly over meat mixture.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until casserole is thoroughly heated.