What is the difference between spaghetti sauce and enchilada sauce?

Spaghetti sauce and enchilada sauce are very different, both in ingredients and purpose:

Spaghetti Sauce:

* Flavor Profile: Typically tomato-based, with a sweet and savory taste. Often includes garlic, onion, herbs, and sometimes meat.

* Texture: Generally smooth and chunky, depending on the recipe.

* Purpose: Primarily used as a topping for spaghetti, but can also be used in other pasta dishes, as a dipping sauce, or even as a base for other dishes.

* Ingredients: Tomatoes (crushed, diced, or whole), onion, garlic, herbs (basil, oregano, parsley), sugar, spices (salt, pepper), sometimes meat (ground beef, sausage, or other meats).

Enchilada Sauce:

* Flavor Profile: Usually a blend of chili peppers, spices, and tomatoes, resulting in a spicy and savory flavor.

* Texture: Typically thin and smooth, but can be thicker depending on the recipe.

* Purpose: Primarily used as a sauce for enchiladas, but can also be used as a dipping sauce or a marinade for chicken or beef.

* Ingredients: Chili peppers (ancho, guajillo, pasilla, or other types), cumin, oregano, garlic, onion, tomatoes (diced or crushed), broth (chicken or vegetable), sometimes chocolate or cinnamon for added depth.

Key Differences:

* Flavor: Spaghetti sauce is tomato-based with sweet and savory flavors, while enchilada sauce is chili-based with spicy and savory flavors.

* Texture: Spaghetti sauce is generally thicker than enchilada sauce.

* Ingredients: Enchilada sauce contains chili peppers, while spaghetti sauce does not.

* Purpose: Spaghetti sauce is primarily used for pasta, while enchilada sauce is primarily used for enchiladas.

You can't really substitute one for the other. They are distinct sauces meant for different purposes.