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Easy Jiffy Cornbread Tamale Pie (Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole)

This easy Jiffy cornbread tamale pie is a comforting, family-friendly casserole made with seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, melty cheddar cheese, and a fluffy golden cornbread topping. It’s a quick Tex-Mex inspired dinner that comes together in one pan and is perfect for busy weeknights.
Using Jiffy corn muffin mix keeps the topping light, tender, and slightly sweet, which pairs perfectly with the savory beef filling. This cornbread tamale pie is hearty, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to become a repeat dinner favorite.
Course Casserole, Comfort Food, dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Hispanic, Latin American, Mexican, Mexican-American, Tex-Mex
Keyword beef, cheesy tamale pie casserole, cornbread tamale pie recipe, easy cornbread casserole dinner, easy tamale pie, ground beef tamale pie, jiffy corn muffin tamale pie, jiffy cornbread tamale pie, pie, quick tamale pie recipe, spicy, tamale pie with jiffy mix, tex mex tamale pie
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 435kcal
Cost $12 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • 9×13 baking dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • spatula or wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Ingredients

Beef Filling

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 10 oz can red enchilada sauce
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • ½ cup corn kernels
  • 2 tbsp diced jalapeños optional
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cornbread Topping

  • 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tbsp sour cream

Instructions

Cook the Beef

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until browned. Drain excess grease.

Add Seasoning

  • Stir in garlic, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, cumin, chili powder, corn, and jalapeños.
  • Simmer for 2–3 minutes until combined.

Assemble

  • Spread beef mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish.
  • Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.

Make Cornbread

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together Jiffy mix, egg, milk, and sour cream until smooth.

Add Topping

  • Pour cornbread batter over the beef mixture and gently spread evenly.

Bake

  • Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the cornbread comes out clean.

Cool

  • Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For the best texture, avoid overmixing the Jiffy cornbread batter. Stir just until combined so the topping stays light and fluffy instead of dense.
Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for the best melt and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting.
If you prefer a spicier tamale pie, increase the diced jalapeños or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for ground beef for a lighter version without changing the cooking time.
Allow the tamale pie to rest for 5–10 minutes after baking. This helps the cornbread topping set and makes the casserole easier to slice cleanly.
For extra flavor, you can add black beans, diced green chiles, or extra corn to the beef filling.
This Jiffy cornbread tamale pie reheats well and makes great leftovers for lunch or meal prep.