noun

enchilada

en-chi-LAH-duh/ˌentʃɪˈlɑːdə/

A filled, rolled tortilla served with sauce.

The enchilada sits on a plate under red chili sauce.

A single enchilada on a plain plate, its rolled tortilla covered with red chili sauce and one open end clearly revealing the filling.

Etymology

enSpanishin

+chilSpanishchili pepper

+adaSpanishfeminine past-participle ending

The pieces describe something seasoned with chili, rather than its rolled shape. In tortillas enchiladas, the participle described the tortillas; that description became the dish's name.

In context

Colin and Samir136:21

do you like watch like a enchilada recipe or something like what do you get into

We interviewed the Mozart of Gen Z

More examples

She fills each enchilada with cheese before adding the sauce.
We order chicken enchiladas with a side of rice.
He spoons green sauce over the enchiladas before baking them.

Forms

enchilada · enchiladas

Similar words

burrito: Usually fully encloses its filling and is not sauce-covered.
taco: Usually uses a folded tortilla rather than a sauce-covered roll.