Let's face it, there's no substitute for tamales, but this Tamale Pie made with Masa Harina is at least closer to the flavor profile of tamales because it's not made with corn bread. It's really delicious! Masa Harina is a corn masa flour. I typically buy Maseca brand, in case you're looking for it in the grocery store and aren't sure you've got the right thing. Read on for the recipe.

Tamale Pie

1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 chopped white or yellow onion
2 minced garlic cloves
1 15oz. can corn, drained
1 can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped Hatch green chile
1 Tbsp. red chile powder
1 Tbsp. cumin
salt to taste (I use about 1 tsp.)

approx. 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

For the dough topping:

2 cups masa harina (I use Maseca brand)
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup melted fat (I use butter. You can also use lard or vegetable oil.)
1 1/2 cups warm chicken broth

In large skillet over medium high heat, brown ground beef. Add in chopped onion and fry until translucent. Add in all other ingredients: minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, corn, green chile. Season with chile powder, cumin and salt. Continue cooking approx. 510 minutes. Once fully cooked, take off burner and set aside.

Meantime, make dough by mixing together the dry ingredients: masa harina, baking powder and salt. Add in melted fat and mix until crumbly. Add chicken broth a little at a time until fully absorbed into dough. If it's too dry, add more chicken broth. It should be spreadable.

Grease a 9x13" baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray, then add meat mixture and spread evenly across the bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Spoon dough on top and carefully spread across the top of dish. (This will take a little time. If dough is not spreading, wetting your spatula with water may help.) Sprinkle additional cheese on top and bake at 350º for 30 minutes until golden brown.


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