Description
This easy bechamel sauce is smooth, creamy, and foolproof—ready to upgrade your lasagna, pasta bakes, or veggie casseroles. With just butter, flour, and milk, you’ll whip up a classic white sauce recipe in minutes.
Perfect for lasagna, pasta, or as the base of cheesy sauces, this recipe is simple yet versatile. Add a pinch of nutmeg for authentic flavor and you’ve got the best bechamel sauce recipe right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter - For that velvety base.
- 2 tablespoons wheat flour - All-purpose flour works perfectly.
- Salt and pepper to taste - Don’t skip seasoning; it brings alance.
- Nutmeg, freshly ground - Just a pinch takes it from good to “hello, chef!”
Instructions
- Warm the milk gently in a small saucepan (don’t let it boil).
- In another pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour to the butter and whisk well, cooking for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Slowly start adding the warm milk while whisking nonstop.
- Continue whisking and pouring until all the milk is incorporated.
- Keep cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens into a creamy consistency.
- If making for lasagna, add a splash more warm milk so it’s slightly looser—the pasta will absorb some liquid during baking.
- Season with salt, pepper, and a tiny pinch of nutmeg. Taste and adjust.
Notes
Want a richer sauce? Swap 1 cup of milk for half-and-half or cream.
For a vegan easy bechamel sauce, use olive oil or vegan butter, and plant-based milk like oat or soy.
If you’re new to sauces, remember: low heat and patience are your best friends. High heat = curdled sauce.
Planning lasagna? Pair this with our homemade tomato sauce for a restaurant-worthy dish.
*You’ll find a rough nutrition estimate in the recipe card below. Just keep in mind, it’s a ballpark figure based on common ingredients — not a medical guide. For anything more specific, it’s always best to check with a registered nutritionist.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauces, Butters & Flavors
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: worldwide
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 calories
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg