Tamale Casserole

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef, browned (about 3 3/4 cups cooked)
• 1 envelope taco seasoning mix (2 tablespoons)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (12 ounce) can whole-kernel corn, drained
• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles (optional)
• 1 (8 1/2 ounce) package corn muffin mix (or two 6 1/2 ounce packages)
• Grated Cheddar cheese for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Drain browned ground beef well and place in a large skillet.
3. Over medium-high heat, stir in taco seasoning mix, water, tomato sauce, corn and chiles, if desired. Simmer for 3 minutes, then pour into a 2 quart casserole.
4. Prepare corn muffin mix in a medium bowl according to package directions. Spoon corn muffin mixture around outer edge of casserole. (If using two 6 1/2 ounce packages, you'll have enough to cover top.)
5. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
6. Sprinkle cornbread with grated Cheddar cheese and return to oven for 2 to 3 more minutes, until cheese melts.