Name: Easy Skillet Tamale Pie
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons oil; 1 medium onion (chopped); 1 medium bell pepper (cored, seeded, and chopped); 1 clove garlic (minced); 1 lb ground turkey; 1 teaspoon chili powder; ½ teaspoon cumin; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 15 ounce can diced tomatoes; 2 cups frozen corn; ½ cup cornmeal; 1 cup water; 2 ½ cups milk; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup cornmeal; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 2 large eggs (whisked); cilantro for garnish; 2 avocados (sliced)

Recipe

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This Skillet Tamale Pie is everything you love about tamales but quick!

I love tamales. And before I get nay-sayers commenting on how this skillet tamale pie is not a traditional tamale; this recipe has everything you love about tamales except the time commitment to make them.

So yes, I’m breaking all the rules and turning tamales into a skillet pie. But unless your tia or abuela invite you to a tamale-making party or you have a killer Mexican restaurant that makes them really authentic… this is the next best thing.

a slice of turkey tamale skillet pie in a bowl

Easy Skillet Tamale Pie Recipe

If you’ve never had a real tamale, you owe yourself a favor. Only one problem, traditional tamales are a real production. The entire tamale-making process involves HOURS of work. So, if anyone is going to make tamales, it’s not going to be one batch for a meal; instead, you make dozens…

But that’s not happening today or anytime soon at our houses now that I’m sharing this tamale skillet pie recipe. It’s exactly what we need to get that tamale fix without spending an entire day wrapping meat and masa into corn husks. Yup, you’re welcome.

Instead, the meat gets seasoned with chili spices, cooked in a cast iron skillet, and topped with masa (corn) batter. Transfer the pan into the oven, and that pillowy masa crust turns golden brown… YUM!

making of the turkey tamale skillet pie: sautéing the onions in a pan

When you take it out of the oven you’ll ask yourself “Did I really just make this, all by myself?” Yes, yes you did.

Personally, this is one of my go-to dishes for Sunday supper when I’ll usually family over. It’s a hearty family meal everyone loves and the presentation is killer. Like you slaved over a meal… but didn’t.

What are tamales made of?

Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made with masa (corn dough) and meat that gets wrapped and cooked in corn husks. It’s one of those dishes you’ve got to taste for yourself, but once you’ve tried, there is no going back.

making of the turkey tamale skillet pie: cooking the meat, the tomatoes and the corn

Ingredients

Just like traditional tamales, this recipe is known to feed a crowd. So, in case you need to feed a small army, Tamale Skillet Pie is your answer. And you don’t need anything fancy to enjoy this incredible pie; I’m sure you have most of the ingredients already in your pantry and fridge.

Check what you need:

Oil: for sauteing the aromatic vegetables.
Aromatic veggies: chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
Ground turkey: you can swap it for ground beef, pork, or chicken.
Seasonings: chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Tomatoes: your favorite can-diced tomatoes.
Frozen corn: great for adding texture and a slightly sweet flavor.
Cornmeal: we will use it for the filling and the topping.
Water: to mix with the cornmeal.
Milk: use dairy or non-dairy milk.
Unsalted butter: for the topping.
Shredded cheese: I use cheddar, but other cheeses work too!
Eggs: whisked.
Cilantro: for garnish.
Avocados: everything is better with avocado slices on the side!

For the ingredient measurements, check the recipe card below.

How to Make Skillet Tamale Pie

In this tamale pie recipe, all comes together in a cast iron skillet in 30 minutes. Easy, quick, and ridiculously tasty!

Check how it’s done:

Prep the oven
Preheat the oven to 375F.
Sauté the aromatics
In a large cast iron skillet or oven-safe skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, bell pepper, and garlic, and cook, for about 4 minutes until veggies have softened.
Cook the meat
Add in the ground turkey, chili powder, cumin, ½ teaspoon salt and pepper, with a wooden spatula break up the ground turkey and stir with the vegetables as it cooks, for about 5 minutes. Add in the tomatoes and corn, and stir to combine.
Make the cornmeal mixture
In a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal and water. Pour the cornmeal mixture into the skillet and stir to combine with the meat and veggies. Reduce to the to simmer.
Make the topping
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, butter and remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir frequently until it comes to a simmer -do not boil it. Slowly add in ½ cup cornmeal and cook, stirring, until it has thickened but isn’t quite stiff. Remove the pan from the heat.
Add the topping
With the pan away from the heat, add in the cheese and whisked eggs. Spread the topping over the skillet and spread to cover.
Bake
Place the skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and the cornmeal mixture is cooked.
Serve
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Serve with chopped cilantro and avocado.

PRO TIP: Let it rest for 5 minutes after you pull it out of the oven so the meat and masa have time to set. And it’s fine. It won’t get cold since a cast iron skillet keeps everything warm longer.

How to store tamale pie leftovers

As far as leftovers go, you’ll rejoice because leftovers are better the second day! The smoky spices sit overnight and really get into the ground meat. Plus, if you’re using turkey or chicken… they tend to be kind of bland so the more time it has to absorb the seasoning the better.

For lunches, I pack it into a thermos for the kids since they don’t have access to a microwave. I bring it to the office in a glass container and microwave it.

a slice of turkey tamale skillet pie in a bowl next to the turkey tamale skillet pie

Can you freeze tamale pie?

Oh yes, you can! I like to bag it in single-serve portions for later. Leftovers can be frozen in a freezer zip-bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw it out overnight in the refrigerator or remove it from the zip bag, transfer it to a microwave-safe container and warm it up until until heated through.

More Healthy Mexican Food Recipes

You may know I’m all about tacos and you can find tons of taco recipes here. But, my friends, that’s just the beginning. If you love Mexican flavors as much as I do, you need to try this delicious Mexican Cauliflower Rice, this Healthy Enchilada Soup and my Chicken Fajita Bowl recipe.

Easy Skillet Tamale Pie

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

This Skillet Tamale Pie is everything you love about tamales but quick!

4.91 from 21 votes

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Ingredients

For the filling:

2 tablespoons oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb ground turkey
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
15 ounce can diced tomatoes
2 cups frozen corn
½ cup cornmeal
1 cup water

For the topping:

2 ½ cups milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup cornmeal
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 large eggs, whisked

For serving:

cilantro for garnish
2 avocados, sliced

Instructions

Prep the oven:

Preheat oven to 375F.

Make the base:

In a large cast iron skillet or oven-safe skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, bell pepper, and garlic, and cook, for about 4 minutes until veggies have softened.
Add in the ground turkey, chili powder, cumin, ½ teaspoon salt and pepper, with a wooden spatula break up the ground turkey and stir with the vegetables as it cooks, for about 5 minutes. Add in the tomatoes and corn, and stir to combine.
In a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal and water. Pour the cornmeal mixture into the skillet and stir to combine with the meat and veggies. Reduce to the to simmer.

Make the cornmeal topping:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, butter and remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir frequently until it comes to a simmer -do not boil it. Slowly add in ½ cup cornmeal and cook, stirring, until it has thickened but isn't quite stiff. Remove the pan from the heat.
With the pan away from the heat, add in the cheese and whisked eggs.
Spread the topping over the skillet and spread to cover.

Bake:

Place the skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and the cornmeal mixture is cooked.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Serve with chopped cilantro and avocado.

Notes

If you don’t have a large oven-safe skillet or pan, cook the meat and veggies in any large pan. Transfer everything into a greased, 9×13 baking dish. Spread the cornmeal topping and bake as directed.