Oklahoma Tamale Casserole (Pork-Themed)

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (10-ounce) can green chiles, diced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

30 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Simple)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Brown the ground pork in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off excess fat.
2. Add the onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, green chiles, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal and chicken broth.
5. Add the cornmeal mixture to the pork mixture and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened.
6. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
7. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese and green onions on top.
8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 15 grams
• Protein: 25 grams
• Carbohydrates: 30 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Savory and flavorful
• Hearty and filling
• Pork-based and themed for American tastes
• Easy to prepare and made with supermarket-available ingredients

User Comments:

• "This casserole is delicious! The pork is tender and juicy, and the sauce is flavorful. It's a great meal for a busy weeknight."
• "I loved the addition of the green chiles, they gave the casserole a nice kick. This is definitely a keeper recipe."
• "This casserole is a family favorite. It's always a hit when I serve it for dinner or potlucks."
• "The cornmeal topping gives the casserole a unique and delicious texture. I highly recommend this recipe."
• "This casserole is perfect for using up leftover pork. It's a great way to repurpose meat without sacrificing flavor."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have ground pork, you can substitute ground beef or turkey.
• You can adjust the heat level of the casserole by adding more or less green chiles.
• Serve the casserole with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
• The casserole can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.