Creating Texas Tamale Pie is straightforward, following these easy steps:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Cook the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey. Drain any excess fat.

3. Add Onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, around 5 minutes.

4. Incorporate Beans and Tomatoes: Stir in the black beans and diced tomatoes, letting everything simmer for about 5 minutes. Season with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt.

5. Prepare the Cornmeal Mixture: In a saucepan, mix the cornmeal with water. Stir well and cook over medium heat until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

6. Spread the Cornmeal Base: Spread half of the cornmeal mixture evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

7. Layer the Filling: Pour the meat mixture over the cornmeal base and spread it evenly.

8. Top with Cornmeal: Pour the remaining cornmeal mixture over the meat layer, spreading it evenly.

9. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.

10. Add Cheese: In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top. Return to the oven until the cheese is melted.

11. Cool: Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

12. Garnish and Serve: When ready to serve, top with shredded lettuce, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños if desired.

Follow these steps, and you’ll have an incredible Texas Tamale Pie ready to delight your taste buds!