California Tamale Casserole

This hearty casserole offers the classic flavors of the Southwest.

Recipe Ingredients:

3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 cups milk
1 large egg, beaten
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (1.25-ounce) package chili-seasoning mix
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1 (16-ounce) can tomatoes
1 (17-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (7.5-ounce) can pitted black olives, drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
2. Mix cornmeal, milk and egg in 2 1/2 quart casserole dish.
3. Brown ground beef in heavy skillet until beef is no longer pink. Break up with spoon while cooking to 1/2-inch crumbles.
4. Add chili-seasoning mix, salt, tomatoes, corn and olives to ground beef. Mix well.
5. Stir beef mixture into cornmeal mixture.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 350ºF (175ºC) for 1 1/4 hours. Sprinkle cheese over top and return to oven until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Recipe courtesy of The Beef Checkoff.