Slow Cooker Tamale Pie

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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4.72 from 7 votes

Slow Cooker Tamale Pie

All the flavors of tamales in an easy to assemble, slow cooker, family-favorite meal.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time4 hrs

Total Time4 hrs 15 mins

Servings (adjustable): 8

Calories: 244

Author: Peter | Simple Nourished Living

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup cornmeal3/4 cup cornmeal
• 1-1/2 cups fat-free milk (I used unsweetened almond milk beverage)1-1/2 cups fat-free milk (I used unsweetened almond milk beverage)
• 1 egg, beaten1 egg, beaten
• 1 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained of excess fat (I used lean ground turkey)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 envelope (1.25 ounces dry chili seasoning mix)
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained (I used Rotel)1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained (I used Rotel)
• 1 can (16 ounces) corn, rinsed and drained1 can (16 ounces) corn, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese blend1 cup reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese blend

Additional Garnishes:

• chopped cilantro, light sour cream, salsa, guacamole, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced black olives, etc.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

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

8 *SmartPoints (Green plan)

6 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)

6 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)

6 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Tamale Pie

Amount Per Serving (1 /8th of recipe)

Calories 244 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Carbohydrates 25g8%

Fiber 3g12%

Protein 20g40%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Southwestern

Keyword: Crock pot tamale pie, tamale casserole

Did you make this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving on Instagram and tag #simplenourishedliving - we love to see your creations!

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

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