Are you craving a creamy, flavorful sauce that elevates any dish? Look no further than béchamel sauce, a culinary masterpiece that has graced kitchens worldwide for centuries. This versatile sauce forms the foundation of many classic dishes, including lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and croque monsieur. Master the art of béchamel with our collection of easy-to-follow recipes, thoughtfully curated to guide you through the process. From the basic béchamel sauce to variations infused with herbs, cheese, and vegetables, these recipes cater to every palate and cooking style. Discover the secrets of creating a smooth, lump-free sauce that will transform your everyday meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
BASIC BECHAMEL SAUCE
Use this basic bechamel sauce to make our Rich Chicken and Squash Lasagna, Rich Beef and Eggplant Lasagna, Rich Artichoke and Mushroom Lasagna, or our Rich Spinach and Leek Lasagna.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Quick & Easy Recipes
Yield Makes 5 cups
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook until onion is soft, 4 minutes. Add flour, season with salt, and cook, stirring, until mixture is pale golden with a nutty aroma, 4 minutes. Whisking constantly, add half the milk. Add the remaining milk and whisk until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, until sauce comes to a boil and thickens, 10 minutes. Use immediately.
BéCHAMEL
Classic and creamy béchamel sauce doesn't include cheese, but we love the nutty pop from Parmesan. Go traditional or play with the flavor: add a little shredded Cheddar, smoked Gouda or even fresh goat cheese.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 15m
Yield about 2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Put the milk in a glass measuring cup and microwave until just warm, about 1 minute.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the flour and whisk until combined. Continue to whisk until the mixture bubbles a bit, but does not brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Gradually pour in the warm milk while whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, whisking often and occasionally running a rubber spatula around the edges of the saucepan to prevent burning. When the sauce is boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened to a nice coating consistency, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the Parmesan, if using, and stir until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
BASIC BECHAMEL SAUCE
This is a quick and easy bechamel sauce.
Provided by MATHIEUDAIGLE
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Creamy
Time 40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour until smooth. Continue stirring as the flour cooks to a light, golden, sandy color, about 7 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high and slowly whisk in milk until thickened by the roux. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue simmering until the flour has softened and not longer tastes gritty, 10 to 20 minutes, then season with salt and nutmeg.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 139.3 calories, Carbohydrate 8.7 g, Cholesterol 28.8 mg, Fat 9.7 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 4.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 682.6 mg, Sugar 5.8 g
GRUYERE BECHAMEL
This creamy cheese sauce gets its signature nutty flavor from Gruyere, a Swiss cheese that melts beautifully. Use it to make our savory Chicken Crepes.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes
Time 20m
Yield Makes about 1 3/4 cups
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until foamy. Add flour and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is pale golden and has a slightly nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Stir in Dijon.
- Whisking constantly, pour in 2 cups milk and whisk until smooth. Cook over medium-high, whisking often along the bottom of pan, until boiling, about 7 minutes.
- Reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Add nutmeg and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to the consistency of thin yogurt, about 10 minutes. Stir in Gruyere. Season with salt and pepper.
BECHAMEL SAUCE
Provided by Food Network
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Scald the milk in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Keep it warm over very low heat.
- Melt the butter in a separate saucepan over low heat. When it's bubbling, add the flour and whisk until it forms a golden paste, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Whisking constantly, add the hot milk in a steady stream. Bring the milk to a gentle simmer and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Whisk in the nutmeg and the cheese, and serve at once
JIM LAHEY'S BECHAMEL SAUCE
Instead of typical tomato sauce, spread pizza dough with a creamy white sauce from Jim Lahey's cookbook "My Pizza." Use this for his Ham and Peas Pizza and Broccoli Rabe Pie recipes.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegetarian Recipes
Yield Makes about 2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Place 2/3 cup milk and butter in a medium saucepan; heat over medium-low heat, stirring, until butter melts. Do not let milk come to a boil.
- Meanwhile, place flour in a medium bowl; add remaining milk and whisk until well combined. Ladle some of the warm milk mixture into the bowl and mix until warmed through.
- Transfer entire contents of bowl to saucepan and whisk in salt. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking, until thickened and mixture reaches about 180 degrees. Stir in nutmeg and remove from heat; bring to room temperature. Bechamel will thicken as it cools.
BECHAMEL SAUCE FOR LASAGNA BOLOGNESE
Use this lush white sauce to make our Lasagna Bolognese.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegetarian Recipes
Yield Makes about 3 cups
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Melt butter in a heavy-bottom, medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes; do not let roux brown.
- Whisking constantly, add about 2 tablespoons hot milk to saucepan.
- Pour half of the remaining hot milk into the saucepan in small increments, whisking the mixture constantly, until a smooth paste forms.
- Whisk remaining milk into pan; add nutmeg and salt. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, making sure to scrape bottom and sides, until sauce is thick and creamy, about 15 minutes; if any lumps form, stir sauce rapidly with a whisk. Season with pepper; remove from heat. Let sauce stand until lukewarm, about 30 minutes, before assembling lasagna.
BECHAMEL SAUCE
This French sauce (one of the so-called 5 Mother Sauces) is made from butter, milk, flour and salt. It's the base for a range of homey, comforting recipes, such as Creamed Spinach and Roasted Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce, and is a versatile, essential sauce that's easy to master.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Quick & Easy Recipes
Time 30m
Yield Makes 4 cups
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium. Add onion and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add flour and salt; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is pale golden, has a slightly nutty aroma, and is the texture of cooked oatmeal, about 5 minutes.
- Whisking constantly, pour in 2 cups milk; add 2 more cups milk and whisk until smooth. Cook mixture, stirring constantly along the bottom of pan, until boiling, about 7 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and does not feel grainy when a very small amount is rubbed between two fingers, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 63 g, Fat 4 g, Protein 2 g
Tips:
- Use equal parts of butter and flour for a medium-thick sauce. For a thicker sauce, use more flour. For a thinner sauce, use more butter.
- Use a whisk to stir the sauce constantly while cooking to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth texture.
- If you notice any lumps forming, remove the sauce from the heat and whisk vigorously until the lumps disappear.
- To create a flavorful sauce, use a flavorful broth or stock. You can also add herbs, spices, or cheese to taste.
- Use fresh ingredients whenever possible. This will result in a more flavorful and delicious sauce.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique bechamel sauce.
- Bechamel sauce can be used in a variety of dishes, such as lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and croque monsieur.
Conclusion:
Bechamel sauce is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's easy to make and can be customized to taste. With the tips above, you can create a perfect bechamel sauce every time. So next time you're looking for a creamy and flavorful sauce, give bechamel a try. You won't be disappointed.
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