Have you ever felt like your meal needed a little extra flavour and texture to reach perfection? Meet the béchamel sauce – as the ultimate game-changes in your cuisine.
This simple, creamy French sauce has saved so many of my meals, turning them from “meh” to “OMG, this is amazing!”. It is also one of my best secret weapons for repurposing leftovers into something even better than the original dish.
But Wait… What Is Béchamel Sauce, Anyway?
Béchamel sauce is a classic French white sauce that serves as the base for many delicious dishes, such as lasagna and moussaka (at least in my home). Over time, it’s been adopted by cuisines all over the world, to become probably one of the most famous sauces. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a chef to make it. In fact, it’s ridiculously easy and simple to make. Just three basic ingredients and a few spices, and you’re good to go.
How to Use Béchamel Sauce
Honestly, you can use it however you want. Here are some of my favourite ways to make life easier and meals more delicious:
Lasagna – Whether it is veggie or classic bolognese, béchamel adds that creamy texture I love so much.
Try my best homemade bolognese sauce to complete the lasagna. If you want to go one step further, make homemade lasagna sheets for a chef-level meal.
But don’t worry if you’re not there yet, store-bought lasagna sheets work perfectly too.
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Chicken breasts with cream sauce – Simply toss in some mushrooms, chicken breast, and broccoli (or spinach), and you’ve got a hearty, healthy meal ready in minutes. So easy and so good.
Mac and cheese – Béchamel is the base without which this meal cannot be made. Simply grate some cheddar, toss the pasta and here you have it.
Creamy Mushroom Pasta – Perfect for using up leftover pasta and turning it into one of the most delicious, kid-friendly meals. Just mix in the béchamel, and you’ve got a creamy, restaurant-worthy dish.
Moussaka – This dish wouldn’t be the same without the rich béchamel layer on top. While the original moussaka is made without béchamel, I highly recommend my version. Be ready to be truly amazed.
This is not the end – the possibilities are endless! Get creative and have some fun in the kitchen, whether you are cooking for family, friends, or just yourself (you deserve it).
Easy Béchamel Sauce Recipe
Course: condimentsCuisine: FrenchDifficulty: Easy1
serving10
minutes10
minutesLearn how to make easy béchamel sauce with just 3 key ingredients. This creamy classic is the secret to perfect lasagna, pasta, and more.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk (warm)
Salt & pepper to taste
A pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Directions
- In a Dutch oven (or saucepan), melt the butter over low-medium heat. Stir frequently so it does not burn. You need to stop right at the point where butter melts and starts to become golden.
- Add the flour and whisk constantly to avoid lumps.
- Slowly pour in the warm milk, whisking continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and thickens (about 5 minutes).
- Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if you want). Keep stirring for another 3-4 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and use immediately while still warm.
Notes
- Depending on what meal you cook, you can customize the sauce with some extra spices. I love that cheesy flavour and often I like to add some parmesan cheese and oregano or basil.
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Hi, I’m Biba, the creator of Chick in Apron!
As a busy mom and food blogger, I am passionate about making cooking fun and stress-free. I share simple, delicious recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, along with helpful kitchen hacks to save you time.
So, let’s turn cooking into something you enjoy with tasty meals and handy tips to make kitchen tasks a breeze! ✨
