Tamale Pies Recipe

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Gallery Tamale Pies Recipe Summary prep: 40 mins total: 1 hr 10 mins Servings: 8

Ingredients Ingredient Checklist 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 pounds ground dark-meat turkey 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 minced jalapeno chiles (seeds and ribs removed for less heat, if desired) 1 tablespoon ground cumin Coarse salt and ground pepper 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes 4 cups fresh (from 6 ears) or thawed frozen corn kernels Cornmeal Crust 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (4 ounces)

Cook’s Notes Note: To freeze this dish, do not add cheese in step 3. Let pies cool completely; do not bake. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; freeze up to 3 months. To cook small pies: Remove plastic wrap from frozen pies, and cover with foil; bake 45 minutes. Remove foil, top with cheese, and bake 30 minutes more. To cook large pies: Defrost overnight in refrigerator. Sprinkle with cheese; bake, uncovered, 45 to 60 minutes.

Gallery Tamale Pies

Recipe Summary prep: 40 mins total: 1 hr 10 mins Servings: 8

Gallery

Tamale Pies

Tamale Pies

Recipe Summary prep: 40 mins total: 1 hr 10 mins Servings: 8

Recipe Summary

prep: 40 mins total: 1 hr 10 mins

Servings: 8

prep: 40 mins

total: 1 hr 10 mins

prep:

40 mins

total:

1 hr 10 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil 2 pounds ground dark-meat turkey 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 minced jalapeno chiles (seeds and ribs removed for less heat, if desired) 1 tablespoon ground cumin Coarse salt and ground pepper 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes 4 cups fresh (from 6 ears) or thawed frozen corn kernels Cornmeal Crust 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (4 ounces)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make filling: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. In two batches, brown turkey, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining tablespoon oil to skillet. Cook onion, jalapeno, and cumin, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes; season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Return turkey to pan; stir in tomatoes and corn until combined.

Make Crust. Pour 1/8 of the crust (1/4 cup) into the bottom of each of eight 10- to 12-ounce ramekins. Smooth tops with a spoon; cool 5 minutes. Top each with turkey filling, dividing evenly; sprinkle with cheese.

Bake on a rimmed baking sheet until filling is bubbling and cheese is melted, about 30 minutes.

Cook’s Notes

Note: To freeze this dish, do not add cheese in step 3. Let pies cool completely; do not bake. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; freeze up to 3 months. To cook small pies: Remove plastic wrap from frozen pies, and cover with foil; bake 45 minutes. Remove foil, top with cheese, and bake 30 minutes more. To cook large pies: Defrost overnight in refrigerator. Sprinkle with cheese; bake, uncovered, 45 to 60 minutes.

Reviews (22)

 Add Rating & Review     107 Ratings   5 star values:        26    4 star values:        31    3 star values:        30    2 star values:        14    1 star values:        6

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Reviews (22)

Add Rating & Review     107 Ratings   5 star values:        26    4 star values:        31    3 star values:        30    2 star values:        14    1 star values:        6

Add Rating & Review

107 Ratings 5 star values: 26 4 star values: 31 3 star values: 30 2 star values: 14 1 star values: 6

5 star values: 26 4 star values: 31 3 star values: 30 2 star values: 14 1 star values: 6

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: 1 stars       02/17/2014   This was horrible. Absolutely no flavor at all. Ended up throwing the whole thing away.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       03/28/2013   Excellent dish but it takes a large rectangular casserole pan for this quantity of ingredients and serves 12-16  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       11/29/2011   Does anyone know what grind of cornmeal should be used? It's not specified in the linked recipe for cornmeal crust, and I have found in the past that medium grind cornmeal takes a very long time to cook, and is therefore very high-maintenance. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: 5 stars       05/14/2011   One of my FAVORITE recipes. My husband begs me to make this.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/01/2010   I added spices, but should have left the turkey in to absorb some of them. Taste was bland.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       10/11/2009   I cut out the crust to reduce calorie content, and it worked just fine. (By my count, it was about 350 calories per serving). It wasn't my favorite taste, but it could be that I'm not a big fan of ground turkey. I will try again with ground beef and I'm sure I'll love it.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       03/16/2009   i made this recipe (without changes) for a pot luck at the office. it went over really well! it was easy to make (the hardest part is chopping the onion and jalapenos) and delicious! i baked mine in a 9x13 brownie pan (the only thing i have with a lid for easy transport to work) for 35min. it was great!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/23/2009   I did not use ramekins for this dish instead I used small cassarole dishes and they turned out great!! I love this recipe. Simple and tasty!!!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/22/2009   I didn't have enough ramekins, so I ended up putting it in two casserole dishes. Love the cornmeal crust!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/09/2009   I made this and it turned out great. It wasn't too hard or time consuming. I used ground beef and canned green chiles instead of turkey and jalapenos because that's what I had on hand.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/09/2009   I use ground turkey (sometimes chicken) for anything that calls for ground beef and I have never found it to be fatty. I actually add a little olive oil to help it cook better. I may try this recipe with ground sirloin though.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/03/2009   Try to change the tomatoes to green tomatoes or tomatillos and 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro leaves. In the mexican isle or in the freezer area try to get real mexican tamales, there are different flavors, chicken, pork, kernel, etcetera, and try to use in these recipe, one tamale per person, the same sauce with more hot spices and avoid the crust, finished with a spoon of sour cream and chopped scallions, It's great!!!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/03/2009   Ground turkey is fatty and kind of gross. The ground sirloin was delicious, but agree the whole thing needed extra spice, more chili powder, some fresh garlic sauteed with the meat. Crust made this very nice.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/02/2009   My last comment cut off. I added 2-3 tablespoons of chilli powder, more salt, chopped frozen bell pepper, used 1lb ground sirloin  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/02/2009   These were tasty. But if you like a lot of flavor, it's best to spice up. I used 1 lb ground sirloin  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/02/2009   Delicious. We added about 1 tbs chipotle puree and 1/2 small can tomato puree to add more flavor. I also used pepper jack cheese to add a little bit more spice. I followed cann9111's instructions and baked the crust for about 10 mins - perfect suggestion. Thanks, Martha!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/02/2009   Way to go elleann11! I am not Mexican but grew up in West Texas where many Mexican recipes were given a makeover. This is similar to a "tamale pie" recipe I grew up with only lighter and more in keeping with today's health conscious menus. If you have ever tried to make a real tamale, you will have a lot of respect for those Mexican ladies who make dozens at a time and will understand why there are recipes with similar yummy flavors but not all the work.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/02/2009   lighten up ...it's a pie with ingredients that are similar to those in a tamale. enjoy!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/02/2009   I do not agree on people naming something as tamale. I am mexican and a tamale is not like that at all; it does not matter who craeted it. Please do not use it as a tex mex kind of food. They should not name it tamale at all. I am dissappointed on Mrs. Stewart because she herself knows that that is not a tamale. And I am not trying to be rude or anything, it bothers me because even in my country I do not like when they use English to name something who is in Spanish.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       02/02/2009   I love this recipe. It works well and taste even better. It is a little involved to make but it is worth it. It does well as left overs. The great thing is they are all individual pies and self contained. They worked great for a party and people were surprised and pleased. This will become a favorite in my house. Thanks for the great recipe!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       11/25/2008   Turned out very well. I was concerned that the cornmeal crust would be mushy. I baked the crust for 10 minutes before adding the turkey. Worked wonderfully. My husband is a picky eater and he liked this.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       10/21/2008   I was disappointed in this recipe. It took too much time to make and didn't even taste good. Most of the pies were thrown away.

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 1 stars 02/17/2014

This was horrible. Absolutely no flavor at all. Ended up throwing the whole thing away.

Rating: 1 stars

Rating: Unrated 03/28/2013

Excellent dish but it takes a large rectangular casserole pan for this quantity of ingredients and serves 12-16

Rating: Unrated

Rating: Unrated 11/29/2011

Does anyone know what grind of cornmeal should be used? It’s not specified in the linked recipe for cornmeal crust, and I have found in the past that medium grind cornmeal takes a very long time to cook, and is therefore very high-maintenance. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Rating: 5 stars 05/14/2011

One of my FAVORITE recipes. My husband begs me to make this.

Rating: 5 stars

Rating: Unrated 02/01/2010

I added spices, but should have left the turkey in to absorb some of them. Taste was bland.

Rating: Unrated 10/11/2009

I cut out the crust to reduce calorie content, and it worked just fine. (By my count, it was about 350 calories per serving). It wasn’t my favorite taste, but it could be that I’m not a big fan of ground turkey. I will try again with ground beef and I’m sure I’ll love it.

Rating: Unrated 03/16/2009

i made this recipe (without changes) for a pot luck at the office. it went over really well! it was easy to make (the hardest part is chopping the onion and jalapenos) and delicious! i baked mine in a 9x13 brownie pan (the only thing i have with a lid for easy transport to work) for 35min. it was great!

Rating: Unrated 02/23/2009

I did not use ramekins for this dish instead I used small cassarole dishes and they turned out great!! I love this recipe. Simple and tasty!!!

Rating: Unrated 02/22/2009

I didn’t have enough ramekins, so I ended up putting it in two casserole dishes. Love the cornmeal crust!

Rating: Unrated 02/09/2009

I made this and it turned out great. It wasn’t too hard or time consuming. I used ground beef and canned green chiles instead of turkey and jalapenos because that’s what I had on hand.

I use ground turkey (sometimes chicken) for anything that calls for ground beef and I have never found it to be fatty. I actually add a little olive oil to help it cook better. I may try this recipe with ground sirloin though.

Rating: Unrated 02/03/2009

Try to change the tomatoes to green tomatoes or tomatillos and 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro leaves. In the mexican isle or in the freezer area try to get real mexican tamales, there are different flavors, chicken, pork, kernel, etcetera, and try to use in these recipe, one tamale per person, the same sauce with more hot spices and avoid the crust, finished with a spoon of sour cream and chopped scallions, It’s great!!!

Ground turkey is fatty and kind of gross. The ground sirloin was delicious, but agree the whole thing needed extra spice, more chili powder, some fresh garlic sauteed with the meat. Crust made this very nice.

Rating: Unrated 02/02/2009

My last comment cut off. I added 2-3 tablespoons of chilli powder, more salt, chopped frozen bell pepper, used 1lb ground sirloin

These were tasty. But if you like a lot of flavor, it’s best to spice up. I used 1 lb ground sirloin

Delicious. We added about 1 tbs chipotle puree and 1/2 small can tomato puree to add more flavor. I also used pepper jack cheese to add a little bit more spice. I followed cann9111’s instructions and baked the crust for about 10 mins - perfect suggestion. Thanks, Martha!

Way to go elleann11! I am not Mexican but grew up in West Texas where many Mexican recipes were given a makeover. This is similar to a “tamale pie” recipe I grew up with only lighter and more in keeping with today’s health conscious menus. If you have ever tried to make a real tamale, you will have a lot of respect for those Mexican ladies who make dozens at a time and will understand why there are recipes with similar yummy flavors but not all the work.

lighten up …it’s a pie with ingredients that are similar to those in a tamale. enjoy!

I do not agree on people naming something as tamale. I am mexican and a tamale is not like that at all; it does not matter who craeted it. Please do not use it as a tex mex kind of food. They should not name it tamale at all. I am dissappointed on Mrs. Stewart because she herself knows that that is not a tamale. And I am not trying to be rude or anything, it bothers me because even in my country I do not like when they use English to name something who is in Spanish.

I love this recipe. It works well and taste even better. It is a little involved to make but it is worth it. It does well as left overs. The great thing is they are all individual pies and self contained. They worked great for a party and people were surprised and pleased. This will become a favorite in my house. Thanks for the great recipe!

Rating: Unrated 11/25/2008

Turned out very well. I was concerned that the cornmeal crust would be mushy. I baked the crust for 10 minutes before adding the turkey. Worked wonderfully. My husband is a picky eater and he liked this.

Rating: Unrated 10/21/2008

I was disappointed in this recipe. It took too much time to make and didn’t even taste good. Most of the pies were thrown away.

All Reviews for Tamale Pies

of Reviews Reviews: Most Helpful Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

All Reviews for Tamale Pies

of Reviews
Reviews: Most Helpful Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful     Most Positive     Least Positive     Newest

Gallery#

Recipe Summary#

Ingredients#

Directions#

Cook’s Notes#

Reviews (22)#

All Reviews for Tamale Pies#

Gallery

Recipe Summary

Ingredients

Directions

Cook’s Notes

Reviews (22)

All Reviews for Tamale Pies