Name: Black Bean Tamale Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 0.5 cup chopped onion; 0.5 cup chopped green bell pepper; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 0.5 pound ground chuck; 2 cloves garlic, chopped; 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained; 1 (8 ounce) jar pasilla chile cooking sauce (such as Herdez®); 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained; 2.5 cups water; 0.5 cup cornmeal; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 2 ears corn, kernels cut from cob; 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped

A hearty and flavorful skillet bake that brings together the best of Mexican-inspired cuisine. Layers of savory ground beef, black beans, and a creamy cornmeal topping create a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for any night of the week.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

02

Step

Heat oil in a cast iron skillet until shimmering. Add onion, green pepper, and salt. Cook and stir until soft, about 5 minutes. Add ground chuck and garlic; cook until meat is browned, about 5 minutes. Drain fat if desired. Add beans, chile cooking sauce, and tomatoes. Cook until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

03

Step

Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add cornmeal and salt; cook until thick and creamy, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add corn, Monterey Jack cheese, and jalapeno. Stir well and spread over meat mixture.

04

Step

Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden and filling is bubbling, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground chuck with 1 (15 ounce) can of lentils, drained and rinsed.
Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro before serving for extra flavor and freshness.
If you don't have pasilla chile cooking sauce, you can use enchilada sauce or a combination of tomato sauce and chili powder.

Elsie Muller

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.7/ 5 ( 3 Ratings)

Total Reviews: (3)

Zack Watsica
Jun 24, 2025
The cornmeal topping is so creamy and delicious. I'll definitely be making this again!
Tyra Collins
Jun 22, 2025
This recipe is a lifesaver! So easy to throw together on a busy weeknight, and the whole family loves it.
Dexter Sauer
Jun 19, 2025
I added a can of diced green chiles for extra heat, and it was amazing!

Black Bean Tamale Bake

Ingridients

Nutrition

Follow The Directions

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Elsie Muller

Written by

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