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    Home » Recipes » Sauces » Béchamel Sauce

    Béchamel Sauce Recipe (White Sauce)

    Published: May 14, 2022 by Sangeetha Vel | Updated: January 4, 2025 Leave a Comment

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    Béchamel, also known as White Sauce, is a kitchen must-have in French and Italian cooking. It's perfect for adding a creamy touch to dishes like pasta, pizza, lasagna, casseroles, and soufflés. Made from a simple mix of butter, flour, and milk, and seasoned with Italian herbs, it has a rich, smooth consistency. You can also use it to boost the flavor of soups, pies, and baked veggies.

    Creamy Bechamel or White Sauce in a bowl on a table Pin
    What You’ll Find On This Page
    • Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
    • How to Make Béchamel Sauce at Home?
    • Béchamel Sauce (White Sauce)
    • Recipe Video
    • Chef's Notes and Tips
    • Nutrition Info
    • How to Use this Béchamel Sauce?
    • Storage Suggestions

    To make this sauce, start by cooking butter and flour together to form a roux. Then, slowly add milk until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Season with herbs to bring out its full flavor.

    For a creative twist, I've added extra vegetables and flavors to this sauce for my White Sauce Pasta recipe on my blog. This version brings a heartier and more flavorful update to the traditional pasta dish.

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    Ingredients and Substitutions Overview

    To make a classic Bechamel Sauce, you only need a few basic ingredients that are likely already in your pantry or easy to find at your local grocery store. Here's what you'll need:

    Ingredients for Bechamel or White Sauce placed on a table Pin
    • Butter: You can choose either salted or unsalted butter based on your preference. If you opt for salted butter, adjust the added salt accordingly to avoid an overly salty sauce.
    • All-Purpose Flour: Essential for creating a smooth roux, plain white flour is ideal. Ensure it's well-sifted to avoid lumps in your sauce.
    • Milk: I use whole milk for the richest, creamiest texture. For a lighter version, you might consider using 2% milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
    • Basic Seasonings: Black pepper and salt are the staples. Elevate the sauce with a blend of Italian seasonings such as basil, oregano, chili flakes, and a pinch of garlic powder for a more robust flavor.

    How to Make Béchamel Sauce at Home?

    Now, let's turn these ingredients into a classic Bechamel Sauce with my easy-to-follow recipe. I've included detailed instructions, complete with photos and a video guide, to help you effortlessly create this sauce. Let’s get started:

    Creamy Bechamel or White Sauce in a bowl on a table Pin

    Discover More Pasta Sauce Recipes:

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    Creamy Bechamel or White Sauce in a bowl on a tablePin

    Béchamel Sauce (White Sauce)

    Béchamel, commonly known as White or Cream Sauce, is a staple in French and Italian cooking. It’s made with essential ingredients like butter, flour, and milk, which give it a thick, creamy texture. This versatile sauce is perfect for enhancing a variety of dishes, including pasta, pizza, lasagna, casseroles, and soufflés.
    5 from 1 vote
    Author: Sangeetha Vel
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    Course: Dips & Condiments
    Cuisine: Italian, American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Cook: 15 minutes mins
    Adjust 4 serving

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cups Milk
    • 3 tbsp Butter
    • 2 tsp All Purpose Flour
    • ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
    • Salt, to taste
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    Instructions
     

    Making Bechamel Sauce (White Sauce)

    • Start by gently melting the butter in a pan over medium heat. This provides a smooth base for your roux.
      Butter is melting in a pan
    • Gradually sprinkle in the all-purpose flour while stirring continuously. This prevents lumps and ensures a smooth consistency. Keep stirring until the mixture emits a nutty aroma, indicating the flour is perfectly cooked without burning.
      Mixing all-purpose flour in butter
    • Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly with a hand whisk or spatula. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
      Stirring milk in flour mixture
    • Once thickened, reduce the heat to low and season with black pepper and salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
      White Sauce with black pepper and salt seasoning
    • Your rich and creamy Bechamel Sauce, also known as White Sauce, is now ready. Use it immediately in your recipes or store it for later use.
      Thick and creamy bechamel sauce

    Using

    • Incorporate this silky smooth Bechamel Sauce into your pasta, drizzle it over pizza, layer it in lasagna, or lavish it on your favorite veggies to elevate any meal.
      Serving Bechamel Sauce in a bowl

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    Save This Recipe!

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    Recipe Video

    Chef's Notes and Tips

    Here are my tips for the perfect Béchamel Sauce:
    • Roast the Flour: Lightly roast the flour until it gives off a fragrant aroma. This step enhances the flavor, but be careful not to burn it.
    • Manage the Heat: Cook both the flour and milk on medium heat to prevent scorching. If the sauce starts to stick, temporarily remove the pan from the heat, stir, and then return it once it's cooled down slightly.
    • Season to Taste: The basic recipe calls for salt and black pepper, but you can elevate the flavor with additions like garlic powder, chili flakes, parsley, thyme, basil, or other Italian herbs.
    • Extra Creaminess: For a creamier texture, add mozzarella or parmesan cheese, or replace the milk with heavy cream for a richer sauce.

    Nutrition Info

    Serving: 4tbsp | Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 187mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 460IU | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 0.1mg

    Disclaimer

    We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.

    Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

    Looking for more variety? Explore our extensive collection of Italian recipes, featuring a diverse range of pasta dishes, sauces, and unique condiments. Each recipe is carefully crafted to enhance your cooking experience and let you enjoy the authentic flavors of Italy and more!

    How to Use this Béchamel Sauce?

    Béchamel sauce is incredibly versatile and can transform simple ingredients into delicious meals. Here are some classic ways to incorporate this creamy sauce into your cooking:

    • Pasta: Use Béchamel as a base for creamy pasta dishes, adding cheese for a rich mac and cheese or combining it with vegetables and chicken.
    • Lasagna: Layer it between sheets of pasta with meat or vegetables and plenty of cheese for a perfect lasagna.
    • Casseroles: Pour Bechamel over vegetables, chicken, or fish before baking to create a moist, flavorful casserole.
    • Soufflés: Mix it into egg yolk mixtures for a fluffy, light soufflé.
    • Pizza: Swap out traditional tomato sauce for Bechamel on white pizzas, topping with ingredients like spinach and mushrooms.
    • Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle this Bechamel Sauce over roasted vegetables like green beans, asparagus, or broccoli for a creamy yet delicious twist on the regular version.

    Storage Suggestions

    You can store Béchamel sauce in the refrigerator for up to a day in an airtight container. However, for optimal flavor and quality, I recommend making it fresh. It takes less than 15 minutes to prepare from scratch!

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    Sangeetha Vel Yellow Chili's

    Hi, I'm Sangeetha Vel! the author, recipe researcher, creator, and cooking hands behind Yellow Chili's. A realistic, friendly, empathetic, and enthusiastic foodie who loves to share authentic, easy, quick, healthy, instant, and kids-approved recipes.

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