White sauce, also known as Bechamel sauce, is a classic French sauce that is used in a variety of dishes, including lasagna, mac and cheese, and croquettes.
It is a simple sauce to make, but there are a few tips and tricks to ensure that it turns out perfectly every time.

In this article I will provide you with a comprehensive guide to making white sauce, including ingredients, instructions, and troubleshooting tips.
You will also learn about the different variations of white sauce and how to use it in your cooking.
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White Sauce Recipe

Shane Lowry

Looking for a creamy and versatile white sauce recipe?
Learn how to make the classic bechamel sauce with this easy-to-follow recipe.
Perfect for different dishes and a must-have in any cook's repertoire.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 2

Cook Time 10

Additional Time 1

Total Time 13

Cuisine French

Servings 500 ml

Calories 1048 kcal

Ingredients

500 ml full cream milk
100 grams of chopped fresh unsalted butter
1 tablespoon plain all-purpose flour
nutmeg grated optional
black pepper to taste
salt to taste

Instructions

Warm up a frying pan on your stovetop and pour in the full cream milk.
Now warm it on very low heat, you don't want it to boil.
When it's warm, take it off the heat and set it aside.
Now heat a separate frying pan.
Place about the butter in the pan and allow it to melt.
After it has melted you need to add the flour, stirring or whisking until you don't have any more lumps.
Now, add your warm milk to the pan and give it a bit of a stir.
Grate in some nutmeg (if using), add some black pepper, now finally drop in some salt to taste.
Now give it another stir.
Don't forget we're doing this on very low heat.
You need to cook this until it thickens up.
This will take about 10 minutes to thicken up, but you have to remember it gets thicker when it cools down, so be careful with the consistency not to make it too thick.
Your bechamel sauce is ready.

Video

Notes

Troubleshooting Tips

If the sauce is too thick, add more milk.
If the sauce is too thin, cook it for a few more minutes, or whisk in a small amount of cornstarch or flour dissolved in water.
If the sauce is lumpy, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve.

Variations of White Sauce.

There are many different variations of white sauce that can be created by simply adding different ingredients.

Some popular variations of white sauce include:

Mornay sauce:
Add shredded cheese to the white sauce.
This sauce is often used in macaroni and cheese and croquettes.
Alfredo sauce:
Add grated Parmesan cheese, butter, and cream to the white sauce.
This sauce is often used with pasta dishes.
Soubise sauce:
Add cooked and pureed onions to the white sauce.
This sauce is often used with fish and poultry dishes.
Mustard sauce:
Add Dijon mustard to white sauce to create a tangy and flavourful sauce that is perfect for chicken, fish, and vegetables.
Cheese sauce:
This sauce is made by adding a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan, to white sauce.
It is often used with vegetables, pasta, or meat dishes.
Mushroom sauce:
This sauce is made by adding cooked mushrooms to white sauce.
It is often used with pasta, meat, or poultry dishes.
Herb sauce:
This sauce is made by adding chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary, to white sauce.
It is often used with fish, poultry, or vegetable dishes.

How to Use White Sauce.

White sauce, also known as Bechamel sauce, is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Here are some ideas for how to use white sauce:

Lasagna:
White sauce is a classic component of lasagna, providing a creamy and flavourful base for the layers of pasta, meat, and cheese. To use white sauce in lasagna, simply spread a layer of sauce on the bottom of your pan before adding the pasta noodles.
Then, continue layering the noodles, meat, cheese, and white sauce until you reach the top of the pan. Finish with a generous layer of cheese and bake according to your recipe.
Mac and cheese:
White sauce is also a key ingredient in mac and cheese, giving the dish its signature creamy texture. To make mac and cheese with white sauce, simply cook your macaroni pasta according to the package directions.
Then, drain the pasta and add it to a large bowl. Stir in the white sauce until the pasta is evenly coated.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Croquettes:
Croquettes are a delicious and versatile dish that can be made with a variety of fillings, including meat, seafood, or vegetables. White sauce is often used as a binder for croquettes, helping to hold the filling together.
To make croquettes with white sauce, simply cook your filling until cooked through.
Then, mix the filling with the white sauce until combined. Form the mixture into small balls or patties and coat them in bread crumbs.
Fry the croquettes in hot oil until golden brown and crispy.
Gratins:
Gratins are a type of baked dish that is typically topped with a layer of cheese or bread crumbs.
White sauce can be used to create a creamy and flavorful base for gratins. To make a gratin with white sauce, simply pour the sauce into a baking dish and top with your desired ingredients, such as vegetables, meat, or seafood.
Then, top the gratin with cheese or bread crumbs and bake until golden brown and bubbly.
Soups:
White sauce can also be used to create creamy and delicious soups. To make a soup with white sauce, simply start by making a roux, which is a mixture of butter and flour.
Then, gradually whisk in milk until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
Add your desired ingredients to the sauce, such as vegetables, meat, or seafood.
Season the soup to taste and simmer until heated through.
Stews:
White sauce can also be used to add thickness and creaminess to stews. To use white sauce in a stew, simply add the sauce to the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Stir the sauce until it is well combined with the stew and then simmer until heated through.
Casseroles:
White sauce can also be used to create delicious and creamy casseroles. To make a casserole with white sauce, simply combine the sauce with your desired ingredients, such as pasta, meat, vegetables, and cheese.
Then, pour the casserole mixture into a baking dish and bake until heated through and golden brown.

Conclusion:

White sauce is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes.

It is a simple sauce to make, I have given a video showing you how easy it is to make your bechamel sauce.
I cover different variations of white sauce and how to use it in your cooking to ensure that it turns out perfectly every time.

So throw your apron on and show everyone your sauce making skills!

Keyword bechamel sauce, white sauce

White Sauce Recipe: How to Make Bechamel Sauce