Best 9 White Bechamel Sauce Recipes

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In the culinary world, few sauces are as versatile and delectable as the classic white béchamel sauce. Originating in France, this creamy and smooth sauce has become a staple in kitchens around the world, gracing everything from pasta and vegetables to fish and meat. In this comprehensive guide, we present three distinct variations of the beloved béchamel sauce, each offering a unique flavor profile and culinary application.

First, we'll introduce you to the traditional French béchamel sauce, a harmonious blend of butter, flour, and milk. This classic sauce is the foundation for many culinary creations, adding a rich and creamy texture to dishes like lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and croque monsieur.

Next, we'll explore a variation of the béchamel sauce infused with the vibrant flavors of cheese. This cheesy béchamel sauce is a delightful addition to dishes like cauliflower cheese, baked pasta, and grilled vegetables. The melted cheese adds a gooey and flavorful dimension that elevates any dish it touches.

Finally, we'll present a light and airy version of the béchamel sauce, perfect for those seeking a healthier alternative. This low-fat béchamel sauce is made with skim milk and cornstarch, resulting in a sauce that is both creamy and guilt-free. It's an excellent choice for dishes like chicken pot pie, fish pie, and vegetable gratin.

With these three béchamel sauce variations at your disposal, you'll be able to elevate your culinary creations to new heights. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to expand your repertoire, this guide has something for everyone. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your kitchen, and let's embark on a delicious journey into the world of béchamel sauces!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CLASSIC BECHAMEL: WHITE SAUCE



Classic Bechamel: White Sauce image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Time 25m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup milk
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons flour
Pinch salt and white pepper
2 garlic cloves, crushed

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, heat the milk and 1 bay leaf to a gentle simmer, stirring so it doesn't scorch the bottom of the pan. Keep the milk on low heat.
  • Make a white roux by melting butter over low-medium heat in a thick-bottomed saucepan. Just as the foam subsides, add the flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk to prevent lumps. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to coat the flour and remove the starchy taste. Do not allow to brown. Remove from heat, then gradually add a bit of the warm milk to the roux and whisk vigorously. Return the saucepan to the heat and bring up to a low simmer, continuing to add more milk and whisk. Cook for 5 minutes until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Check seasoning; add salt, white pepper, garlic and the remaining bay leaf.
  • To prevent a skin from forming as the sauce cools, lay a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface.
  • Serve with fish, shellfish, vegetables or egg dishes.

BASIC BECHAMEL (WHITE) SAUCE WITH VARIATIONS INCLUDING AU GRATIN



Basic Bechamel (White) Sauce With Variations Including Au Gratin image

Bechamel is one of the five mother sauces. This means it is a base for many things. If used plain, frequently onion and nutmeg are added. Keep this recipe and you don't need a bunch of recipes for variations like Au Gratin. Make it your own.

Provided by Ambervim

Categories     Sauces

Time 10m

Yield 1 Cup

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup milk, cream or 1 cup stock
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk, cream or 1 cup stock
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk, cream or 1 cup stock
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook over medium, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  • NOTE - It is best to use warm to hot liquids when making sauce, which helps to prevent lumps. Also, constant stirring will help prevent the sauce from scorching on the bottom. If sauce turns lumpy, whisk vigorously with a wire whip or strain through a wire sieve before serving.
  • Stir in milk or other liquid. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Option: Reduce milk by the same amount you add white wine, sherry or brandy will create a lovely flavor.
  • CHEESE SAUCE - Once sauce is made, remove from heat and stir in 1/2 to 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese (or whatever flavor compliments what you are making -- better yet use 2 different cheeses), stirring until melted. To Au Gratin anything use this sauce mixed with potatoes, veggies, meats or whatever and heat through. Top with seasoned bread crumbs and more cheese finishing in the broiler.
  • CURRY SAUCE - Stir in 1/2 teaspoon curry powder with the flour.
  • DILL SAUCE - Stir in 1 teaspoon chopped fresh, or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed and a dash of ground nutmeg with the flour.
  • MORNAY SAUCE.
  • Add 1/2 cup grated cheese to 1 cup of hot sauce; stir over low heat until cheese is melted. Season with a little mustard or Worcestershire sauce to taste.
  • VELOUTE SAUCE.
  • Substitute chicken, beef, fish, or vegetable broth for the milk.
  • HERB SAUCE.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped herbs or 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs to 1 cup of hot sauce. Cook for a minute or two longer to get more flavor from the herbs.
  • CREAM SAUCE.
  • Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of heavy cream to the finished sauce. For an onion flavor, add an onion slice to the milk when heating; remove onion slice before adding milk to flour and butter mixture.
  • MUSTARD SAUCE.
  • Combine 1 teaspoon dry mustard to flour used in sauce. This sauce is especially good with fish and chicken.

BASIC WHITE SAUCE/BECHAMEL SAUCE



Basic White Sauce/Bechamel Sauce image

This white sauce can be used in so many different ways. Add Cheese,Curry Powder,Dill,or Horseradish Add canned Tuna,Ham,Hamburger,Sausage. Lots of things can be done with this sauce.

Provided by Braunda

Categories     Sauces

Time 20m

Yield 1 Cup

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine
1/2-1 tablespoon flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk

Steps:

  • Melt butter in saucepan over low heat until it bubbles up. Blend in flour. This is the roux.
  • In another pan, warm the milk. Infuse with flavours, if desired.
  • Strain milk into the roux, combine and bring to boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Adjust taste by adding salt and pepper. Strain.

BASIC BECHAMEL (WHITE SAUCE)



Basic Bechamel (White Sauce) image

This classic sauce, sometimes simply called white sauce, adds a rich and creamy quality to a variety of vegetable dishes. It can be spooned over hot cooked vegetables just before serving or mixed with them to make an easy yet elegant creamed vegetable course. To turn the creamed vegetables into a gratin, place in a baking dish, top with cheese and then bake in the oven until golden. Personally, my favorite use of bechamel sauce is to make Recipe #514039. (Sorry about that, folks... but that is what my mother always called it). Enjoy. *Note See steps #5 & #6 if desiring a thinner bechamel or a cheese sauce. *Note: I have also been known to sub 1/4 cup of the liquids with 1/4 cup white wine (but that's my little secret... at least it used to be).

Provided by rosie316

Categories     Sauces

Time 10m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 pinch paprika (optional)
1 pinch nutmeg (optional)
1 bay leaf
2 cups milk, heated (or 1 cup each milk and chicken stock, heated)
salt and fresh ground white pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, until blended, 1 minute. Add the paprika and/or nutmeg (if using) and add the bay leaf.
  • Gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low and continue to whisk until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and white pepper.
  • Increase the heat to medium and simmer to blend the flavors, 2 minutes. Discard the bay leaf before using.
  • Now you can use your sauce any way you like. Like I said before, my personal favorite use is for making Recipe #514039, but I also like eating this bechamel, AS IS, on veggies or making a cheese sauce (see *Notes below). Enjoy!
  • *Note: For a thinner sauce, reduce the flour and butter to 2 tablespoons each, but stay the same with the liquid(s). (I highly recommend this if you plan to make a cheese sauce with this (posted below).
  • *Note: To create a cheese sauce, whisk 1/2 cup (or more) of grated Gruyère, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Sharp Cheddar or Farm-house White Cheddar (my fav) or any other cheese into the finished béchamel sauce. If a lighter cheese sauce is desired, substitute chicken stock for part of the milk, or use a lesser amount of the flour & butter ratio (like posted above).

BECHAMEL (WHITE SAUCE)



Bechamel (White Sauce) image

This easy-to-make sauce is delicious over chicken, pasta, steamed veggies, and more! While the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, you may need to add 1 Tbs. - 1/4 cup more to thin, depending on your heat and other variables. Remember, sauces thicken as they cool, but they still take quite a while to thicken (up to 15 minutes, depending on your heat).

Provided by ABfan13

Categories     Sauces

Time 15m

Yield 2 1/2 cups, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 small garlic cloves, minced

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Gradually add in the milk, stirring constantly, until thoroughly incorporated into butter mixture.
  • Add salt, pepper, oregano, and minced garlic (I like using my garlic press for this). Stir frequently until thickened. See note for tip on thinning.

BECHAMEL - BASIC WHITE SAUCE



Bechamel - Basic White Sauce image

Make and share this Bechamel - Basic White Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by kiwidutch

Categories     Sauces

Time 25m

Yield 2 cups, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups milk
1 slice onion, large
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon peppercorn
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 pinch nutmeg
salt
white pepper

Steps:

  • Scald the milk with the onion, bay leaf and peppercorns.
  • Cover and let infuse off heat for 10-15 minutes.
  • In a heavy based saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour and cook, stirring, until the flour is foaming but not browned- about 1 minute.
  • Off heat, strain in the hot milk.
  • Whisk well, then bring to a boil, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens.
  • season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and leave to simmer slowly for 1-2 minutes.
  • NOTE: This make what is called a "MEDIUM" Bechamel.
  • For a "THIN" Bechamel use 2 tbs. butter and 2 tbs. flour.
  • For a "THICK" Bechamel use 4 tbs. butter and 4 tbs. flour.

SAUCE BECHAMEL AUX CHAMPIGNONS (WHITE SAUCE WITH MUSHROOMS)



Sauce Bechamel Aux Champignons (White Sauce With Mushrooms) image

A easy sauce that works very well on vegetables and fish. Can be prepared with or without the mushrooms. This recipe comes from Marie Antonin Careme, "L'Art de la cuisine francaise au dix-neuvieme siecle", 1854, vol III. Preparation and cook times are approximate. Enjoy.

Provided by -GEORGE-

Categories     European

Time 15m

Yield 3-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

5 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
7 ounces common mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
1 pinch fine salt, to taste
1 pinch fresh ground white pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Prepare a sauce bechamel:.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat.
  • Stir in the flour and cook for a couple of minutes.
  • Do not allow the flour to brown.
  • Gradually mix in the milk and bring to a low boil.
  • When the sauce is thick and smooth, stir in the nutmeg and pepper.
  • Taste for salt.
  • Keep the sauce at a low simmer until needed.
  • Prepare the mushrooms:.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a fry pan over medium heat.
  • Add the sliced mushrooms, sprinkle lightly with salt and cook.
  • Stir often to prevent burning.
  • When the mushrooms start to release water, add the lemon juice and increase the heat to high.
  • When all the liquid has evaporated, add the mushrooms to the sauce.
  • Just before serving, off the heat, stir in the last 1 tablespoon of butter.

SPEEDY WHITE SAUCE (BECHAMEL)-A CHEATS VERSION!



Speedy White Sauce (Bechamel)-A Cheats Version! image

You can't beat a well made bechamel sauce-BUT,if time is short,this is a quick,simple and foolproof version.

Provided by Noo8820

Categories     Sauces

Time 10m

Yield 1 1/2 cup approx

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 1/4 cups skim milk
2 tablespoons sunflower margarine
3 tablespoons plain flour

Steps:

  • Put all of the ingredients into a saucepan and whisk over moderate heat until thickened and smooth.
  • NB-You may wish to add a little more milk at this stage,depending on how thick you want it.

WHITE BECHAMEL SAUCE



WHITE BECHAMEL SAUCE image

Categories     Sauce     Pasta

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

Vegetable oil cooking spray
Bechamel Sauce:
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup flour
2 cups whole milk, warmed
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch ground nutmeg
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/broiled-halibut-with-bechamel-sauce-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Steps:

  • Cook's Note: The halibut can be substituted with 24 ounces of sole fillets. Reduce the cooking time in the wine mixture to 3 to 4 minutes. Spray a 7 by 11-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside. For the bechamel sauce: In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thick and smooth, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. For the halibut: In a large saucepan, bring the wine and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the halibut. Cover the pan and cook until the flesh is opaque, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a fish spatula, carefully remove the fish and arrange in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Season with salt and pepper. Preheat a broiler. Spoon the bechamel sauce over the fish and top with the Parmesan. Dot with butter and broil until golden, 2 to 4 minutes. Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/broiled-halibut-with-bechamel-sauce-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Tips:

  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent scorching, and make sure to whisk constantly to avoid lumps.
  • For a richer sauce, use half milk and half cream.
  • Add a bay leaf or a few sprigs of thyme to the milk before simmering for extra flavor.
  • To make a cheese sauce, stir in grated Parmesan, cheddar, or Gruyère cheese until melted and smooth.
  • For a creamy mushroom sauce, sauté sliced mushrooms in butter until browned, then add to the béchamel sauce.
  • To make a seafood sauce, add cooked shrimp, crab, or lobster to the béchamel sauce.
  • For a vegetable sauce, add steamed or roasted vegetables to the béchamel sauce.

Conclusion:

Béchamel sauce is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. With its creamy texture and rich flavor, it's a perfect addition to pasta, vegetables, seafood, and meat. Whether you're making a classic lasagna or a simple weeknight dinner, béchamel sauce is sure to elevate your dish to the next level. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make sauce, give béchamel a try. You won't be disappointed!

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