Taco Tamale Bake

A long time ago, my mom used to make a dish very similar to this one that my dad loved. It used canned chili and canned tamales. Yes...I'll admit, I used to make it, too and enjoyed it. I changed things up a little bit by making this more along the lines of homemade. I usually use my own taco seasoning but I was out and in a hurry so store-bought it was! And I used frozen green corn tamales instead of beef since there's beef in the dish. Anyway...this is really good and super easy to make if you're short on time. I should probably take my dad some of this...I'm pretty sure he'd like it. I know we did.

Taco Tamale Bake



1 pound ground beef
3 or 4 tamales (can use more) ~ fresh, frozen and thawed or canned, husks removed
1 16-ounce can pinto beans
1 packet taco seasoning
2/3 cups water
1 medium onion ~ diced
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

In a large skillet, saute the onion in a little olive oil for about 5 minutes.

Add the ground beef and cook until done.

Stir in the beans and the taco seasoning packet, along with the water and the salt and pepper.

Cook for 10 minutes until thickened.

Unwrap tamales and place on top of the mixture, spooning some of the meat mixture on top.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Cover and bake for 30 minutes until heated through.

 
Here we go!

 
Saute the onion then add the ground beef.

 
Dump in the beans, the taco mix, 
the water and salt & pepper.

 
Add the tamales and scoop a 
little of the meat mixture on top.

 
Add the cheese. Cover and bake 
for a little bit to heat through.

 
So yummy!