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After making what I’m pretty sure is the best enchilada sauce recipe a few days ago, it was time to put it to good use. Naturally, I’ll have to make low carb enchiladas with it as soon as possible. But, this week I wanted something different, and this easy tamale pie casserole recipe was born.
How To Make Tamale Pie Gluten-Free
Most commonly tamale pie recipes are made using cornmeal. This was something I definitely wanted to avoid, for multiple reasons.
Even though corn is usually gluten-free, it’s high in carbs, often GMO, and not the most nutrient-dense, either. These are reasons to consider alternatives even if you aren’t low carb. So, a tamale pie with cornbread topping was out.
Fortunately, it was pretty easy to make a tamale pie gluten-free. Who needs the corn when you can use a delicious almond flour pie crust instead?
Unlike many old fashioned tamale pie recipes, this one has the crust on the bottom instead of the top. I just made the savory version of the press-in crust like I normally would. I actually like it better this way, because it means that I get to have a gooey cheddar cheese layer on top. It’s so good!
An Easy Tamale Pie Recipe
Even though it looks impressive, this entire recipe for tamale pie is pretty simple. Don’t be startled by the multiple parts involved. They are all pretty basic.
Overall, this is a very easy tamale pie recipe. The main steps are straightforward. Bake the crust, brown the ground beef with green chiles and enchilada sauce, and fill the pie shell with the meat. Top it with generously with cheddar cheese, then place it in the oven until gooey and hot.
Like I said, I used my favorite almond flour pie crust, but you can use any kind you like. You could even add some Mexican spices to it!
Since the crust and gluten-free enchilada sauce can be made in advance, this tamale pie casserole is actually very quick to put together. And even if you don’t prepare anything ahead, you can do many of the steps in parallel.
That’s the key to making this dish as quickly as possible. Just bake the crust, cook the sauce, and brown the ground beef all at the same time!
I couldn’t decide if I should call this a tamale pie or a tamale casserole. It kind of has aspects of both, even though it looks like a pie. I settled on tamale pie casserole.
No matter what you call it, I hope you’ll add it to your rotation for Mexican night. The nice thing is, there’s no need to wonder what to serve with gluten-free tamale pie. It’s enough for a meal all on its own!
Easy Gluten-Free Tamale Pie Casserole Recipe:
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RECIPE CARD
Easy Tamale Pie Casserole Recipe - Gluten Free
PrintIngredients
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- 1 recipe Almond flour pie crust (savory version with no sweetener & 1/2 tsp salt)
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 4-oz can Green chiles (drained)
- 1/2 cup Gluten-free enchilada sauce (or any kind you like)
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish - optional)
Instructions
RECIPE TIPS + VIDEO in the post above, nutrition info + recipe notes below!
Click on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
- If not using store bought enchilada sauce, make homemade gluten-free enchilada sauce according to the directions here.
- Make the savory almond flour pie crust according to the directions here. (After it's done, remove from the oven and leave the oven on at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).)
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for a minute, until fragrant.
Add ground beef to the pan. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook for 7-10 minutes, breaking apart with a spoon or spatula, until the meat is browned and fat cooks away. (If the beef is browned but you still have liquid left, drain it before proceeding.)
When the beef is cooked through, stir in the green chiles (drained) and enchilada sauce. Cook for another 3 minutes.
Transfer the meat mixture evenly into the baked pie crust and compress the top. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Bake for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.
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Recipe Notes
Cook times are based on having enchilada sauce ready in advance, and baking the pie crust in parallel with cooking the ground beef.
Serving size: 1 slice, or 1/12 of entire recipe
Nutrition Information Per Serving
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database. You can find individual ingredient carb counts we use in the Low Carb & Keto Food List. Carb count excludes sugar alcohols. Net carb count excludes both fiber and sugar alcohols, because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.
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27 Comments
Sally
This looks delicious! Do the net carbs include the carbs from the pie crust recipe and the sauce recipe? When I looked at those recipes, it looked like together they added up to more carbs than the tamale pie recipe. Am I doing something wrong?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Sally, Carb counts are for the complete recipe. You are not eating as much of the enchilada sauce as the nutrition facts states on the recipe page. Instead of a 1/4 cup per person, the tamale pie uses 1/2 cup for the whole pie. I hope this helps.
Judy Rattigan
Made this tonight. It was amazing! The enchilada sauce recipe was delicious!!
Michelle
What size pan would you recommend to double this recipe and make it into more of a large casserole bottom rather than a pie? Would 9×13 be too big (too thin on the crust)?
Wholesome Yum L
Hi Michelle, I haven’t tried it in a 9×13 casserole dish but that seems like it should work. Let me know how it turns out.
Celeste
Yum. This was delicious!
Anna
This recipe was awesome! I’m allergic to tomatoes, so I used cream instead of enchilada sauce and swapped out the ground beef for ground turkey. I also added in some riced cauliflower (just mixed it with the meat and sauce as it cooked), and man, it turned out fabulous! It was so easy to make, and my family loved it! Thank you so much!
Amy
This was delicious! Thank you so much for recipe! Next time I may use some jalepenos with recipe. I also added some taco seasoning to meat and and used butter for crust. Also had tablespoon of sour cream with piece.
Jordi Smith
So I have made several recipes from your site! This is just a simple THANK YOU!! All your recipes are DELICIOUS and easy to make! they are kid friendly as well, my daughter LOVES every recipe!! You are amazing for creating this site and changing my life forever!!! I am trying this tamale pie tonight and Im looking forward to the great taste!!
Anna
Making this tonight! Although I haven’t tried the finished product yet, I’ve used the pie crust before and it’s definitely a winner. Also, I had purchased a can of sauce to use, but after looking at the ingredients on the label, I decided to try yours instead. I prepped it ahead of time and oh my goodness! It is so good! I know this is going to be a hit!
Dorothy
Great recipe! I added diced zucchini to sneak in veggies. Kids didn’t even notice.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
I love to hear that, Dororthy! Thanks for stopping by!
Beverly
Can this recipe be frozen for later?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Beverly, Yes, you can freeze the leftovers or otherwise freeze right before the last step. Heat in the oven from frozen (don’t thaw) to avoid a soggy crust.
Monica
This was super easy and delicious. The pie crust was sooooo yummy.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Monica! I am so happy you liked the pie! Please come back soon!
Cheryl
Can you use regular pie crust?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Yes, you can use whatever pie crust you’d like, Cheryl. Thank you!
Ahmad
I made this last weekend. Everyone loved it, including by picky 7 year old daughter. Just to spice it up a bit, we ate it with a side of red enchilada sauce!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Thank you, Ahmad! So happy to hear that!
Dawne Moore
I have a child with tree nut allergies. What can I use instead of almond flour? I’ve seen coconut flour but would it be the same amounts?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Dawne, No, coconut flour is not a 1:1 replacement for almond flour. I do have a recipe coming up for a coconut flour crust and you’ll be able to use that in place of this one.
Sandy
This was so easy to make! I couldn’t believe I was able to make the enchilada sauce also!! All of it was delicious!! I served with a dollop of sour cream topped with a few green onions.
I appreciate the simplicity of the recipes so much. Great job!!
Danielle
This was delish!!! My entire family (including two super-picky kids) gobbled it up.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Thank you, Danielle!
Lorri S
This looks and sounds delicious! The enchilada sauce seems easy. I cannot wait to try it! Thank you!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Thank you, Lorri! I hope you love it!