Easy Béchamel Sauce Classic French White Sauce

Name: Easy Béchamel Sauce Classic French White Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 40g butter; 40g flour; 500ml milk; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste; A pinch of nutmeg

10 min prep10 minutes

Updated 6 Mar 2026

Béchamel sauce is a creamy sauce named after the French nobleman Louis de Béchamel. It is a versatile sauce that can be used in various dishes such as lasagna, gratin, and white sauce pasta, and the recipe is very simple. By adjusting the amount of milk, you can make the sauce thick and rich or light and smooth to suit your taste. Please give it a try!

Ingredients

40g butter
40g flour
500ml milk
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
A pinch of nutmeg

How to make it

1/ Warm the milk: Warm the milk in a small pot or in the microwave for about 1 minute.

2/ Melt the butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

3/ Make the roux: Add the flour and whisk over medium heat for 4–5 minutes.

Bechamel mixed butter and flour in a pot

4/ Add the milk: Gradually pour in the warm milk while whisking. Add salt and pepper, and continue stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.

5/ Finish the sauce: Lower the heat. Add a pinch of nutmeg. Once the sauce has thickened, turn off the heat and stir for about 2 minutes.

Bechamel mixed butter flour milk salt petter nutmeg in a pot

Good to know

⭐️ Warm the Milk First: A helpful tip is to warm the milk beforehand. This helps prevent lumps and gives the sauce a smoother texture.

⭐️ Adjust the Thickness to Your Taste: This recipe uses 500 ml of milk for a lighter sauce. If you prefer a thicker sauce, simply reduce the milk to about 400 ml.

⭐️ Perfect for Lasagna: This Béchamel sauce works beautifully in many lasagna recipes. Be sure to try it for a rich and delicious lasagna!

👉 Rich and Creamy Lasagna with Bolognese and Béchamel Sauce