Tamal de Cazuela con Pollo (Baked Tamale Casserole)
All the flavour of a tamale without the wrapping. Red sauce chicken under a soft, baked masa crust, ideal for feeding a crowd.
Made with Red enchilada sauce and Shredded chicken (pollo deshebrado) and Tamale masa. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 30
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.45 a head
- Oven180°C (160°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Lightly oil a 20 by 30 cm baking dish.
- 2
Heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the onion for 5 minutes, then add the garlic for 1 minute. Stir in your ready made shredded chicken (see the base recipe) and your ready made red enchilada sauce (see the base recipe). Simmer for 8 minutes until thick, then stir in the olives.
8 min - 3
Spread half of your ready made tamale masa (see the base recipe) over the base of the dish with a wet spatula in an even layer about 1 cm thick.
- 4
Spoon over the chicken filling, then dollop on the rest of the masa and spread to cover the filling completely.
- 5
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes more until the top is set and lightly golden.
50 min - 6
Rest for 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve with extra warmed red sauce.
Tips
- Wet your spatula or hands to spread the sticky masa without it tearing.
- Make sure the filling is thick, not saucy, so the masa layers do not slide.
- It is cooked when a knife in the masa comes out clean and the top feels firm.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep covered in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze portions for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Is this gluten free and dairy free?
Yes. It uses masa, chicken, red sauce and olives, so it has no gluten, dairy, egg or nuts, provided your base recipes were made as written.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Swap the chicken for 400 g cooked black beans or mushrooms and use the vegan versions of the masa and sauce.
Can I prepare it in advance?
Yes. Assemble, cover and chill for up to 24 hours, then bake for an extra 10 minutes.
More made with red enchilada sauce
Huevos Ahogados con Camarón (Eggs Poached in Red Sauce with Prawns)
DFNFPastel Azteca de Pescado (Layered Fish and Tortilla Bake)
GFEFNFEnchiladas Placeras (Plaza Style Enchiladas with Potato and Carrot)
GFEFNFTacos de Camarón Enchilados (Red Chilli Prawn Tacos)
DFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.