It’s the beginning of a lovely casserole, souffle, lasagna, and more.

White sauce, or bechamel, is one of the five classic French mother sauces.

Its quick and easy.

Basic béchamel sauce in a bowl with a small ladle dipping into the bowl.

Sally Vargas

Use it incasseroles, as a base forsoufflesor even in somelasagna recipes.

it’s possible for you to whip up the sauce in under 10 minutes.

In fact, it only has three ingredients: milk, flour, and butter.

Side view of basic béchamel sauce in a bowl.

Sally Vargas

Then whisk in the remaining milk.

Practically speaking, the sauce is easier to manage with cold milk since lumps dont form too quickly.

Stir constantly and keep your eye on the bottom of the pot to avoid scorching.

Side view of basic béchamel sauce in a bowl with a spoon and sauce pan above it.

Sally Vargas

Getting the Consistency You Want

The bechamel in this recipe is medium thick consistency.

To adjust the consistency of the sauce according to your preference.

Add a little milk to thin out the sauce if it is too thick.

Side view of Classic Hollandaise Sauce in a small bowl with a spoon.

If it is too thin, you could stir in a few teaspoons ofbuerre manie.

It can be added to thicken pretty much any sauce.

It melts into the sauce easily with whisking.

Classic Velouté Sauce

What Can You Make with Bechamel Sauce?

The beauty of all the mother sauces is that they are at your service for a myriad of variations.

Bechamel is no exception.

A ladle full of orange beurre blanc

The finished sauce should have a thick, gravy-like consistency.

Use immediately or pour into a storage container.

Cool the sauce for 10 to 15 minutes before storing.

Ingredients in a saucepan to show how to make béchamel sauce

Sally Vargas

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

you’re free to also freeze bechamel in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Adding milk to the roux to make white sauce or béchamel sauce.

Sally Vargas

Making white sauce or béchamel sauce and starting with a roux.

Sally Vargas

Whisking white sauce or béchamel sauce in a saucepan.

Sally Vargas

Whisking white sauce or béchamel sauce in a saucepan.

Sally Vargas

Adding milk to a saucepan with béchamel sauce (white sauce)

Sally Vargas

Béchamel sauce (white sauce) in a pan.

Sally Vargas