Mole de olla is a traditional dish made from a base of dried chile sauce, beef, and vegetables such as corn and Mexican squash. As there are numerous versions of the dish in existence, sometimes potatoes, green beans, and xoconostle can also be added to mole de olla.

The origin of the dish is still unclear, although some historians claim that it was most likely consumed in prehispanic times and originated from central Mexico. Translated to mole in a pot, the dish has little in common with the popular thick mole sauces, since mole de olla is a soup-like stew that isn't as spicy as traditional moles.

Mole de olla is a classic example of how a humble dish might get transformed into a gourmet meal with the addition of meat and fresh, readily available vegetables.