How to Make White Sauce

Made with just butter, flour and milk, this easy white sauce recipe comes together in about 10 minutes. Also known as béchamel sauce, this simple homemade sauce starts with a butter-and-flour roux and can be used for pasta, lasagna, casseroles and vegetables, or as a base for cheese sauce, gravy and homemade cream sauces.

Course Sauces & Spreads

Cuisine American, French

Recipe Type Condiments, Sauces

Skill Level Easy

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Servings Servings

Calories 404kcal

Author Angela G.

Ingredients

2 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon flour
1 cup milk
salt and black or white pepper to taste

Optional

pinch of ground nutmeg more or less to taste

Instructions

In a small sauce pot, melt butter over medium heat.
As soon as butter is completely melted, whisk in flour. Let bubble for 1 minute to cook out the floury taste. Do not let the butter turn brown. Stir as needed.
Next, whisk in milk. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer. Whisk until thickened and smooth.
Add salt and nutmeg (optional) to taste.

Video

Notes

Be careful not to overcook butter or butter + flour mixture as it bubbles. You do not want the butter to form brown bits.

Nutrition