Béchamel Sauce

Vegetarian
Béchamel Sauce
45 min.
8
61kcal

Suggestions


Béchamel sauce, often referred to as the "mother of all sauces," is a quintessential component of French cuisine that elevates dishes to new heights. This rich and creamy sauce is not just a staple for classic recipes like lasagna and macaroni and cheese, but it can also be a versatile foundation for many vegetarian meals. With its velvety texture and subtle flavor, béchamel adds depth and richness to vegetables, pasta, and casseroles alike.

In just 45 minutes, you can whip up this delightful sauce, making it a perfect addition to your culinary repertoire. Each serving contains only 61 calories, allowing you to indulge while still keeping your meals light and wholesome. The beauty of béchamel lies in its simplicity, utilizing just a few ingredients that work harmoniously to create a luscious flavor profile.

The process is a delightful blend of technique and creativity, starting with a subtle infusion of bay leaf and nutmeg, which brings warmth to the creamy base of milk and butter. Whether you choose to slather it over steamed vegetables, layer it in a gratin, or stir it into pasta, this sauce is sure to impress your family and guests. Let the magic of béchamel transform your meals and inspire you to explore the delicious world of sauce-making!

Ingredients

  •  bay leaf 
  • tablespoons butter 
  • 1.5 tablespoons flour all-purpose
  • Dash ground pepper white
  • 1.8 cups milk 2% reduced-fat
  • Dash nutmeg whole freshly grated
  • 0.5 cup onion thinly sliced
  • 0.3 teaspoon salt 

Equipment

  • bowl
  • frying pan
  • paper towels
  • sauce pan
  • whisk
  • sieve

Directions

  1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer.
  2. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 15 minutes. Strain milk mixture through a sieve over a bowl; discard solids.
  3. Wipe pan clean with paper towels. Melt butter in pan over medium heat.
  4. Add flour to pan; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add strained milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil; cook 9 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly.
  5. Remove from heat; stir in salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts

Calories61kcal
Protein12.96%
Fat57.08%
Carbs29.96%

Properties

Glycemic Index
27.75
Glycemic Load
1.01
Inflammation Score
-2
Nutrition Score
2.1639130348745%

Flavonoids

Isorhamnetin
0.5mg
Kaempferol
0.06mg
Quercetin
2.03mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:61.09kcal
3.05%
Fat:3.93g
6.05%
Saturated Fat:2.49g
15.55%
Carbohydrates:4.64g
1.55%
Net Carbohydrates:4.37g
1.59%
Sugar:3.08g
3.42%
Cholesterol:11.65mg
3.89%
Sodium:119.9mg
5.21%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:2.01g
4.02%
Calcium:66.01mg
6.6%
Vitamin B2:0.11mg
6.27%
Phosphorus:53.25mg
5.33%
Vitamin B12:0.28µg
4.66%
Vitamin A:141.22IU
2.82%
Selenium:1.86µg
2.66%
Potassium:89.83mg
2.57%
Vitamin B1:0.04mg
2.43%
Vitamin B5:0.21mg
2.06%
Manganese:0.04mg
2%
Zinc:0.28mg
1.88%
Magnesium:7.42mg
1.85%
Folate:7.29µg
1.82%
Vitamin B6:0.03mg
1.64%
Fiber:0.27g
1.08%
Vitamin C:0.88mg
1.07%
Source:My Recipes