Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share with you the best recipes for every occasion. Today, we are going to introduce you to a classic dish that is easy to make, budget-friendly, and satisfying for the whole family. It’s called railroad pie, and it’s a ground beef and cornbread casserole that has a rich history and a wonderful flavor.
Railroad pie is also known as cowboy casserole, hobo pie, or tamale pie. It originated in the United States during the Great Depression, when people had to make do with whatever ingredients they had on hand. The name comes from the fact that it was often cooked over a campfire by railroad workers, cowboys, or hobos who traveled by train. The dish consists of a layer of seasoned ground beef mixed with vegetables and tomato sauce, topped with a layer of cornbread batter that bakes into a golden crust. It’s hearty, filling, and comforting, especially on a cold day.
How to Make Railroad Pie
Ingredients
To make railroad pie, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can of tomato soup
- 1 can of rotel tomatoes (or diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1 can of cream style corn
- 1/4 cup of chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 box of cornbread mix (such as Jiffy)
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup of milk
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: diced jalapeno peppers for some extra spice
Directions
To make railroad pie, follow these simple steps:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the onion and bell pepper, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain the excess fat.
- Stir in the tomato soup, rotel tomatoes, cream corn, chicken broth, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornbread mix, egg, milk, cheese, and jalapeno peppers if using.
- Pour the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Spoon the cornbread batter over the top and spread it gently to cover the meat layer.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cornbread is golden and cooked through.
- Let the railroad pie rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Variations of Railroad Pie
Turkey or Chicken Railroad Pie
If you want to make railroad pie with a leaner protein, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef. You can also use leftover cooked turkey or chicken that you shred or chop into small pieces. Just skip the browning step and add the meat directly to the skillet with the other ingredients.
Vegan Railroad Pie
If you want to make railroad pie without any animal products, you can use plant-based alternatives for the meat and cheese. You can use vegan ground beef crumbles (such as Beyond Meat or Gardein), vegan cheese shreds (such as Daiya or Follow Your Heart), and vegan egg replacer (such as Bob’s Red Mill or Just Egg). You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Follow the same directions as above, but check the labels of your products for any adjustments in cooking time or temperature.
Cornbread Variations
If you want to make railroad pie with a different type of cornbread, you can use your favorite recipe or mix instead of the boxed one. You can also add some extra ingredients to the cornbread batter to make it more flavorful or nutritious. For example, you can add some corn kernels, cheese, bacon bits, green onions, or herbs to the batter before baking.
Nutritional Information and Serving Suggestions
Railroad pie is a high-calorie and high-carbohydrate dish that provides a good amount of protein and fiber. It also contains some vitamins and minerals from the vegetables and cheese. However, it is also high in fat, sodium, and cholesterol, so it should be enjoyed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Here is a table that shows the approximate nutritional values of one serving of railroad pie (1/12 of the recipe):
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 320 | 16% |
| Fat | 16 g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 65 mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 720 mg | 30% |
| Carbohydrate | 32 g | 11% |
| Fiber | 3 g | 12% |
| Sugar | 9 g | N/A |
| Protein | 15 g | 30% |
To serve railroad pie, you can cut it into squares and enjoy it as a main course with a green salad or some steamed vegetables on the side. You can also serve it as a side dish with some grilled chicken, steak, or fish. You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can microwave it for a few minutes or bake it in the oven until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Railroad Pie Recipe
What is railroad pie?
Railroad pie is a ground beef and cornbread casserole that originated in the United States during the Great Depression. It is also known as cowboy casserole, hobo pie, or tamale pie.
Why is it called railroad pie?
It is called railroad pie because it was often cooked over a campfire by railroad workers, cowboys, or hobos who traveled by train. It was a simple and cheap dish that used whatever ingredients they had on hand.
How do you make railroad pie?
To make railroad pie, you need to cook ground beef with onion and bell pepper, then add tomato soup, rotel tomatoes, cream corn, chicken broth, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes, then pour into a baking dish. Top with cornbread batter made with cornbread mix, egg, milk, cheese, and jalapeno peppers if desired. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cornbread is golden and cooked through.
Can you make railroad pie ahead of time?
Yes, you can make railroad pie ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to bake. To refrigerate, cover the unbaked casserole with plastic wrap or foil and keep it for up to 24 hours. To freeze, wrap the unbaked casserole tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze it for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter for a few hours, then remove the plastic wrap and foil and bake as directed.
Can you make railroad pie in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make railroad pie in a slow cooker by following these steps:
- Brown the ground beef with onion and bell pepper in a skillet over medium-high heat, then drain the excess fat.
- Transfer the meat mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker and stir in the tomato soup, rotel tomatoes, cream corn, chicken broth, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornbread mix, egg, milk, cheese, and jalapeno peppers if using.
- Spoon the cornbread batter over the meat mixture in the slow cooker and spread it gently to cover.
- Cover and cook on high for another 30 minutes or until the cornbread is set.
- Let the railroad pie rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- To make the meat layer more flavorful, you can add some garlic, cumin, oregano, or Worcestershire sauce to the skillet along with the chili powder.
- To make the cornbread layer more moist and tender, you can add some sour cream, yogurt, or cream cheese to the batter.
- To make the cornbread layer more crispy and browned, you can sprinkle some sugar or honey on top of the batter before baking.
- To make the railroad pie more cheesy, you can sprinkle some extra cheese on top of the cornbread layer halfway through baking.
- To make the railroad pie more colorful and nutritious, you can add some frozen or canned peas, carrots, green beans, or corn to the meat layer.
What are some tips and tricks for making railroad pie?
Here are some tips and tricks for making railroad pie more delicious and easy:
Conclusion
Railroad pie is a classic American dish that is easy to make, budget-friendly, and satisfying for the whole family. It’s a great way to use up leftover ground beef or turkey, and it can be customized with different ingredients and spices. It’s also a great dish to make ahead of time and freeze for later. We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about railroad pie recipe. If you did, please share it with your friends and family, and don’t forget to check out our other articles for more delicious recipes. Thank you for reading!