An enchilada is a corn tortilla filled with meat or beans, rolled, and covered with chile sauce and cheese.
The name comes from the Spanish verb “enchilar,” meaning to season or cover with chile. Unlike a burrito, which is usually wrapped in a flour tortilla and eaten as a self-contained package, an enchilada is commonly served open on a plate with sauce poured over it. Fillings can include beef, chicken, cheese, beans, or vegetables.
Tex-Mex enchiladas often use a red chile-based sauce, yellow cheese, and beef or cheese fillings. Mexican regional versions vary widely and may use green tomatillo sauce, mole, seafood, or other ingredients. The dish therefore has no single universal recipe.
Enchiladas should also be distinguished from taquitos, which are tightly rolled tortillas fried until crisp and usually served without being covered in a large amount of sauce. In Tex-Mex restaurants, enchiladas are frequently served with rice and beans as part of a combination plate.