Cornbread Crusted Beef Pie

Featured in: Cozy Family Plates

This dish combines a rich ground beef and vegetable filling seasoned with garlic, thyme, and smoked paprika, enveloped by a slightly sweet cornbread crust. The beef mixture simmers with broth, Worcestershire sauce, and garden peas, creating a hearty base. The cornbread crust, made from cornmeal, flour, and butter, bakes golden and moist above. Served warm after resting, it offers a comforting, balanced meal perfect for chilly evenings or family dinners.

Updated on Sat, 15 Nov 2025 12:31:00 GMT
Golden, bubbly cornbread crust tops savory beef and vegetable filling in this Cornbread Crusted Beef Pie. Pin Recipe
Golden, bubbly cornbread crust tops savory beef and vegetable filling in this Cornbread Crusted Beef Pie. | fordishes.com

A hearty, comforting pie featuring savory beef and vegetables beneath a golden, slightly sweet cornbread crust—it's perfect for a cozy family dinner.

When I first tried this beef pie, my family devoured every bite—especially the golden cornbread topping. It's now a favorite for Sunday dinners at our house.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: 1 lb (450 g), 80/20 blend recommended
  • Yellow onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Carrot: 1 medium, diced
  • Frozen peas: 1/2 cup
  • Frozen corn kernels: 1/2 cup
  • Tomato paste: 1/4 cup
  • Beef broth: 1 cup
  • Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp
  • Dried thyme: 1 tsp
  • Smoked paprika: 1/2 tsp
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp (plus 1/2 tsp for crust)
  • Black pepper: 1/2 tsp
  • Olive oil: 2 tbsp
  • Yellow cornmeal: 1 cup (120 g)
  • All-purpose flour: 1 cup (125 g)
  • Granulated sugar: 1 tbsp
  • Baking powder: 1 tbsp
  • Whole milk: 1 cup (240 ml)
  • Eggs: 2 large
  • Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup (60 g), melted

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Sauté vegetables:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrot. Sauté 3 4 minutes until softened.
Brown beef:
Add ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add flavor:
Stir in garlic, tomato paste, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 minute.
Simmer filling:
Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, peas, and corn. Simmer 5 7 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a 9-inch (23 cm) deep-dish pie pan or baking dish.
Mix dry crust ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, whisk cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Mix wet crust ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk milk, eggs, and melted butter until combined. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just mixed. Do not overmix.
Top with cornbread batter:
Pour cornbread batter evenly over the beef filling, spreading to cover completely.
Bake:
Bake 25 30 minutes, or until cornbread is golden and a toothpick inserted into the crust comes out clean.
Rest & serve:
Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Pin Recipe
| fordishes.com

Making this pie together became a tradition on chilly weekends, and we enjoy sharing slices with neighbors over good conversation.

Required Tools

Large skillet, mixing bowls, whisk, 9-inch (23 cm) deep-dish pie pan or baking dish, measuring cups and spoons, spatula or wooden spoon.

Allergen Information

Contains: Wheat (gluten), milk, eggs. May contain traces of soy if using certain broths or cornmeal brands. Always check ingredient labels if you have allergies.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 420, Total Fat: 19 g, Carbohydrates: 39 g, Protein: 22 g.

A warm, comforting image of a freshly baked Cornbread Crusted Beef Pie, ready to serve for dinner. Pin Recipe
A warm, comforting image of a freshly baked Cornbread Crusted Beef Pie, ready to serve for dinner. | fordishes.com

Enjoy this comforting pie fresh from the oven. It's even better the next day!

Recipe FAQs

What type of beef is best for this dish?

Ground beef with an 80/20 blend is recommended for a good balance of flavor and moisture.

Can I add vegetables to the beef filling?

Yes, diced carrots, peas, and corn kernels add sweetness and texture to the filling.

How should the cornbread crust be prepared?

Mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt with milk, eggs, and melted butter; pour over the filling before baking.

Is there a way to add some heat to this dish?

Adding a diced jalapeño to the beef mixture provides a spicy kick without overpowering flavors.

Can I substitute the beef with other proteins?

Ground turkey or chicken can be used for a lighter variation while maintaining flavor.

What internal temperature should be reached when baking?

The cornbread topping should be golden and a toothpick inserted into the crust should come out clean.

Cornbread Crusted Beef Pie

Savory beef and vegetable filling under a golden cornbread crust creates a warming family favorite.

Prep Duration
25 mins
Cooking Duration
45 mins
Complete Time
70 mins
Recipe by Fordishes Ava Reynolds


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine American

Makes 6 Number of Servings

Diet Details None specified

Ingredient List

Beef Filling

01 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 1 medium carrot, diced
05 1/2 cup frozen peas
06 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
07 1/4 cup tomato paste
08 1 cup beef broth
09 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
14 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cornbread Crust

01 1 cup yellow cornmeal
02 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
04 1 tablespoon baking powder
05 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 1 cup whole milk
07 2 large eggs
08 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Step 01

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Step 02

Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrot and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.

Step 03

Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 04

Incorporate Seasonings: Stir in garlic, tomato paste, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to combine flavors.

Step 05

Simmer Filling: Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, add peas and corn, then simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until mixture slightly thickens. Remove from heat and transfer to a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan.

Step 06

Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Step 07

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk whole milk, eggs, and melted butter until evenly blended.

Step 08

Mix Batter: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix.

Step 09

Assemble and Bake: Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the beef filling, spreading to cover completely. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the crust is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10

Rest Before Serving: Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Needed Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • 9-inch deep-dish pie pan
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula or wooden spoon

Allergy Info

Double-check ingredients for allergens and speak with a healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk, and eggs.
  • May contain traces of soy depending on broth or cornmeal used.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

For informational use only—doesn't replace personalized medical direction.
  • Calories: 420
  • Fats: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Proteins: 22 g