grandma's tamale pie

(1 RATING)
49 Pinches
Dallas, TX
Updated on Feb 18, 2012

Grandma fixed this for our family ever since I was little. She obtained it from a ladyfriend in the 1940's in San Francisco, and has been a family favorite ever since, eagerly anticipated at family gatherings and certainly every Christmas Eve at Grandma & Grandpa's! Since moving to Texas six years ago, I've amended the original recipe a bit to add a bit of Texas heat, but I hope grandma won't mind! I hope y'all enjoy!

prep time 45 Min
cook time 50 Min
method Bake
yield 8-10 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter (unsalted)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced fine
  • 28 oz cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes w/ juice
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 pounds lean hamburger
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 1 3/4 cups polenta (not quick cooking)
  • 2 cans large pitted olives, quartered
  • 7 ounces diced green chilis
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced small
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 14 ounces can creamed corn
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder (mixed w/ 1/2 cup water)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons diced cilantro (optional)

How To Make grandma's tamale pie

  • Step 1
    Combine onion, garlic, oil and butter in large turkey roaster pan (this will probably cover 2 stove burners). Simmer 15 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Step 2
    Add diced tomatoes with juice, cream corn, eggs, cilantro, if using, milk, hamburger (pinch off in small bits and stir into mixture), chili powder(mixed with 1/2 cup water), polenta, cumin, chilis, olives, salt & pepper. Cook 10 minutes on top of stove, stirring constantly so mixture does not burn on bottom.
  • Step 3
    Transfer pan to oven and bake at 350° for 45 minutes uncovered. Let sit 10-15 minutes before serving.

Discover More

Culture: Mexican
Ingredient: Rice/Grains
Method: Bake
Category: Casseroles

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