Tamale Pie

1½ pound ground beef or ground turkey meat
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 can “sliced” black olives (approx. 14.5 ounces)
1 can “drained” corn (approx. 14.5 ounces)
3 “small” cans of tomatoe sauce (approx. 8 ounces per can)
1 package of corn tortillas
1 block “grated” cheddar cheese

Over medium-high heat, place the ground beef or turkey in a large skillet and cook until lightly browned. Any excess fat from the meat should be drained from the skillet. Now, add to the skillet tomatoe sauce, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and corn. Gently stir all the ingredients in the skillet and allow it to simmer for approximately 10 to 12 minutes. During this time, place a layer of tortillas (slightly overlapping) on the bottom of a large baking or casserole dish.

With the meat cooked, carefully spoon a nice even layer of the mixture on top of the tortillas. Next, place a layer of cheese over the meat and top the cheese with olives. Repeat this layering process until the dish is full and the final layer is cheese topped with olives.

Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the oven to cook for one hour. Remove from oven and allow the dish to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Diva Tips:

• Want to make this recipe even easier? Buy pre-grated cheddar cheese or a mixture of pre-grated cheddar and monetary jack cheese.
• This dish can be prepared ahead of time and keeps well in the freezer. Simply wrap it with plastic wrap and foil and then re-heat when those unexpected guests arrive. It’s a great dish to have ready to go!