White Sauce or Bechamel Sauce

Vegetarian
White Sauce or Bechamel Sauce
45 min.
4
110kcal

Suggestions


If you're looking to elevate your culinary skills, mastering the art of making a classic White Sauce, or Béchamel Sauce, is an essential step. This versatile sauce serves as the foundation for countless dishes, from creamy pasta to decadent gratins. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can create a rich and velvety sauce that will impress your family and friends.

In just 45 minutes, you can whip up this vegetarian delight that serves four people, making it perfect for a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends. With only 110 calories per serving, it’s a guilt-free addition to your meals. The process is straightforward: melt butter, whisk in flour, and gradually add heated milk while stirring until you achieve a luscious consistency. The result is a creamy sauce that can be seasoned to your liking with salt and freshly ground pepper.

For those who crave a little extra flavor, consider transforming your Béchamel into a delightful Cheese Sauce by adding grated Cheddar and a pinch of cayenne pepper. This simple yet elegant sauce can be used in a variety of dishes, making it a staple in any kitchen. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to create a sauce that not only enhances your meals but also showcases your cooking prowess!

Ingredients

  • tablespoons butter 
  • tablespoons flour 
  • 1.3 cups milk 
  • servings pepper freshly ground
  • servings salt 

Equipment

  • sauce pan
  • wax paper

Directions

  1. Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the paste cooks and bubbles a bit, but don't let it brown — about 2 minutes.
  2. Add the hot milk, continuing to stir as the sauce thickens. Bring it to a boil.
  3. Add salt and pepper to taste, lower the heat, and cook, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes more.
  4. Remove from the heat. To cool this sauce for later use, cover it with wax paper or pour a film of milk over it to prevent a skin from forming.
  5. Cheese Sauce.
  6. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese during the last 2 minutes of cooking, along with a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  7. How hot should the milk be?
  8. Warm the milk on low heat just until little bubbles begin to form at the edges. Then remove from heat.
  9. Reprinted with permission from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook by Marion Cunningham. © 1996 Knopf

Nutrition Facts

Calories110kcal
Protein10.64%
Fat66.01%
Carbs23.35%

Properties

Glycemic Index
48.75
Glycemic Load
3.44
Inflammation Score
-2
Nutrition Score
3.3152173757553%

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:109.84kcal
5.49%
Fat:8.16g
12.55%
Saturated Fat:5.02g
31.4%
Carbohydrates:6.49g
2.16%
Net Carbohydrates:6.36g
2.31%
Sugar:3.68g
4.09%
Cholesterol:24.2mg
8.07%
Sodium:267.87mg
11.65%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:2.96g
5.92%
Calcium:96.59mg
9.66%
Phosphorus:82.9mg
8.29%
Vitamin B2:0.13mg
7.43%
Vitamin B12:0.42µg
7.06%
Vitamin A:299IU
5.98%
Vitamin D:0.84µg
5.59%
Vitamin B1:0.07mg
4.84%
Selenium:2.8µg
3.99%
Potassium:121.44mg
3.47%
Vitamin B5:0.31mg
3.1%
Magnesium:10.29mg
2.57%
Vitamin B6:0.05mg
2.43%
Zinc:0.35mg
2.31%
Manganese:0.04mg
2.09%
Folate:7.09µg
1.77%
Vitamin B3:0.31mg
1.53%
Vitamin E:0.2mg
1.36%
Iron:0.19mg
1.04%
Source:Epicurious