How to Make Béchamel Sauce for Beginners: Perfect for Lasagna, Mac and Cheese, and More

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: cornstarch

Whole wheat flour adds more fiber; cornstarch is often less expensive.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: skim milk

Almond milk is lower in calories; skim milk is usually cheaper.

Melt 1/2 cup of butter in a pan over medium heat.

Add 1/2 cup of flour to the melted butter and stir to combine.

Cook the flour and butter mixture for a couple of minutes until it reaches a wet sand consistency.

Gradually add ice cold whole milk a little at a time, whisking until fully combined before adding more.

Continue adding milk and whisking until the desired thickness is achieved, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Monitor the sauce as it heats, adjusting the thickness by adding more milk if it seems too thick or letting it thicken if too thin.

Once the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spatula, season with salt and pepper to taste.

If available, add nutmeg to the sauce for flavor.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens