WW Recipe of the Day: Slow Cooker Tamale Pie
(244 calories | 8 6 6 myWW *SmartPoints value per serving)
I've never made tamales from scratch, but I know it's a very long process. From cooking the meat and/or vegetables, to preparing the tamale dough with masa harina and lard—it's a process with multiple steps resulting in a delicious dish that's usually high calorie and high in fat.
This casserole version is much lower in fat and calories, simple to prepare and cooks together in your crock pot. It's like eating a deconstructed tamale!
Slow Cooker Tamale Pie
According to WW Recipe Builder, a serving of Restaurant-Style Cheese Tamales has about 652 calories, 36g of fat and a whopping 21 SmartPoints on the Purple plan!
How Many Calories and WW Points in this Easy Tamale Pie?
According to my calculations, each serving has 244 calories and:
8 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
6 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
6 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
6 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
Curious about Weight Watchers new myWW Green, Blue and Purple plans? Watch this short video to learn more:
How to Make Tamale Pie Casserole
Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.
Tamale Pie ingredients
Browning the lean ground turkey
Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, milk and egg.
Mixing the cornmeal, milk and egg
Step 3: Stir in the prepared meat, chili seasoning, tomatoes and corn until thoroughly mixed. Pour mixture into crock pot.
Adding tamale pie to crock pot
Step 4: Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Set slow cooker to LOW and continue to cook for 3 hours.
Step 5: Remove lid and wipe and wipe off any condensation, then sprinkle cheese over tamale pie. Place cover on cooker and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Cooked tamale pie
Step 6: Serve warm, sprinkled with chopped cilantro, or additional toppings (if desired).
Slow Cooker Tamale Pie
Slow Cooker Tamale Pie Recipe Notes
If you use Rotel diced tomatoes, there are lots of options. Location may determine availability. Choose the flavor and spice level you like best.
These were the choices I found here in Phoenix, Arizona:
- Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (original)
- Diced Tomatoes with Serrano Pepper
- Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (mild)
- Diced Tomatoes with Habaneros (hot)
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies (fire roasted)
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies and Chipotle Peppers
Ways to Use Leftovers
- Add to chicken broth and your favorite salsa to make a simple Tamale Soup.
- Use a filling in corn tortillas, or healthier lettuce wraps, and make Tamale Tacos.
- Serve with scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast.
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Slow Cooker Tamale Pie
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cornmeal
- 1-½ cups fat-free milk (I used unsweetened almond milk beverage)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained of excess fat (I used lean ground turkey)
- 1 envelope (1.25 ounces dry chili seasoning mix)
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained (I used Rotel)
- 1 can (16 ounces) corn, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese blend
Additional Garnishes:
- chopped cilantro, light sour cream, salsa, guacamole, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced black olives, etc.
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, milk and egg.
- Stir in the prepared meat, chili seasoning, tomatoes and corn until thoroughly mixed. Pour mixture into crock pot.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Set slow cooker to LOW and continue to cook for 3 hours.
- Remove lid and wipe off any condensation, then sprinkle cheese over tamale pie. Place cover on cooker and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Serve warm, alongside additional garnishes (if using).
Recipe Notes
- Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (original)
- Diced Tomatoes with Serrano Pepper
- Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (mild)
- Diced Tomatoes with Habaneros (hot)
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies (fire roasted)
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies and Chipotle Peppers
Recipe source: Fix-It and Forget-It Slow Cooker Diabetic Cookbook (affiliate link) by Phyllis Pellman Good
*PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.
If you like this tamale pie, you might also like these Southwestern WW Friendly Recipes
- Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole
- 4-Ingredient Taco Cauliflower Rice
- Southwest Taco Skillet (Freezer Meal)
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Pinto Bean Tostadas
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
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Hi, I'm Martha. Simple Nourished Living chronicles the easy and delicious Weight Watchers friendly recipes, tips & hints that help me balance my love of food and desire to be happy, healthy and slim. 
Marilyn Freeman
Could this be made with masa? I bought a bunch of it and don’t know where to use it.
Martha McKinnon
I haven't tried it with masa but think it would work fine. If you do try it, would love to know how it turns out for you. ~Martha
Charlene
YUM! It'll definitely be on the weekly menu rotation. Thanks for always having done the hard work for us.
Stephanie Forman
What kind of cornmeal did you use?
Martha McKinnon
I use whatever kind of cornmeal is available when I shop.
Stephanie Forman
It doesn’t matter if it’s self rising or not?
Susan HUbbell
I loved this recipe. I added chopped onions and peppers. I was surprised how thick it became. Delicious!
Lynn Owen Kraker
Is the nutritional info figured on ground beef or turkey?
Martha McKinnon
beef
Linda Daniels
If I use ground Turkey breast 99% fat free what would the points be?
Susan Williams
I added chopped onions and pimientos (fresh from my garden)and it was delicious! Definitely a keeper.
Tami Campellone
Is the serving size one cup?
Erica
I was wondering this myself.
Mary
I want to try this one and am sharing it with others! Is 1/8 serving equaling a cup? I love when you give us that info! Thank you, Martha!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Mary, Yes one serving is about 1 cup. ~Martha
Julie
Was wonder if leaving out the egg, cornmeal mixture and using it as a layer instead. Say a layer of ground beef mixture, then pour over a little egg mixture, repeat with more ground beef would create a layering or more constructed tamale pie? You think adding a layer of roasted green chili's would add too many points?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Julie, Haven't tried the layering approach. If you do would love to know how it turns out for you. Roasted green chile's wouldn't add any points so you are good to go there. ~Martha
Karen
What size slow cooker did you use?
Martha McKinnon
I used a 6-Quart. 4-Quart or larger should work fine.