Tamale pie can be made so many different ways, most of the recipes I had found use tortilla as the tamale part and layering it like a lasagna. For my recipe, I use prepared polenta instead of the tortilla as traditional tamales use masa.
Here is a sample of masa, white corn meal (grits) and polenta
This recipe was given to me in a cooking class over 10 years ago and while I have slightly modified it (I don’t have the original recipe but I usually modify them), I have kept what I believe to be the “key” ingredient, prepared polenta. I buy my polenta at the market but if you can not find it you can order it here.
I use ground turkey, you can use beef or 1/2 and 1/2, I browned my turkey and added taco seasoning to the meat
Added a can of refried black beans and a jar of salsa
8 ounces of chicken broth and let it all simmer
meanwhile I took the prepared polenta
opened one pack and broke it up into pieces (using my hands), placed it on the bottom of my baking pan
Top it with the prepared meat/beans/salsa
Add a little cheese
Top it with the other package of prepared polenta
Bake it until it is warmed through and a little browned on top
And here it is sliced
This is one of my favorite casserole dishes (although my spaghetti bake is my number one searched recipe at the time), I have been making it for over 10 years. Once the casserole has been baked, you can cut it and freeze it and serve for another time. This casserole is great to bring to parties as a pot luck as most everyone loves it! I can’t believe I am sharing this recipe with you all as I always get asked for the recipe and to be honest, I have never shared it…until today!
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family, friends and I have!
Thank you for visiting my site.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment and if you enjoy my site, please subscribe. To subscribe, go to the box listed on the top of the page “Subscribe Via Email” and input your email address.
When you subscribe, you will be emailed a link to confirm the subscription, be sure to click on that link to activate your account.
Thank you again ~ Patty Limatola-Tanenbaum
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Turkey
- 1 package Taco Seasonings
- 2 tubes Prepared Polenta
- 1 can Refried Beans
- 1 jar Salsa
- 8 ounces Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (optional)
Directions
- Brown turkey meat, when all browned add taco seasoning, mix until well combined. Add refried beans, salsa and broth, stir until well blended. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Using your hands break apart one package of polenta and place in a 13x9 baking dish. Top with the prepared filling (meat/beans/salsa), add cheese and top with the other polenta that is also broken into pieces.
- Place in oven uncovered and bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Let cook 5 minutes prior to serving.
- Once baked the casserole can be sliced and frozen for another time. Enjoy!