What Mexican dish is made by dipping a tortilla in red chile sauce, filling it, and rolling it? An enchilada is a corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered with savory sauce.
The name comes from Mexican Spanish enchilar, meaning “to season with chile.” Red enchilada sauce commonly uses dried red chiles that are soaked, ground, and seasoned; some regional versions also include tomato. Fillings can include meat, cheese, beans, potatoes, vegetables, or combinations.
Enchiladas have deep roots in Mexico. Rolling tortillas around food dates back at least to Aztec-era traditions in the Valley of Mexico, where tortillas were folded or rolled around small fish. Early enchiladas were sometimes simply tortillas dipped in chile sauce and eaten without fillings.
A common mix-up is confusing an enchilada with a burrito or taco. The defining combination is a rolled tortilla plus sauce, usually served over the exterior. “Enchilada” describes the preparation, not one fixed filling or a single sauce.