White Sauce Base

Master the art of a creamy, velvety White Sauce Base—your ultimate kitchen staple for countless recipes! Made with just five simple ingredients—unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, milk, and a hint of seasoning—this classic recipe creates a versatile béchamel sauce that's perfect as a foundation for pasta dishes, casseroles, soups, or gratins. Its silky texture comes from a simple roux technique, while a touch of optional ground nutmeg adds a subtle, aromatic warmth. Ready in just 15 minutes, this easy white sauce is an essential addition to your repertoire, offering endless customization and a foolproof way to elevate your cooking.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.125 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Be careful not to let it brown.

Step 2

Once the butter is fully melted, add the flour to the pan. Stir constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon to form a smooth paste, known as a roux.

Step 3

Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour taste. The roux should remain light-colored but fragrant.

Step 4

Gradually pour the milk into the roux while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Start with a small amount of milk to thin the roux, then continue adding milk in small increments until fully incorporated.

Step 5

Continue heating the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly. The sauce will start to thicken as it comes to a simmer. Do not let it boil, as it may scorch.

Step 6

Once the sauce reaches your desired consistency (it should coat the back of a spoon), season with salt, white pepper, and nutmeg, if desired. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Remove the sauce from heat and use immediately, or cover with plastic wrap (pressing it directly onto the surface of the sauce) to prevent a skin from forming if storing for later use.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(289.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	388.1

Total Fat 29.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 84.0mg	0%
Sodium 689.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 23.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0.6g	0%
Total Sugars 12.0g
Protein 9.9g	0%

Vitamin D 107.4IU	0%
Calcium 317.1mg	0%
Iron 0.7mg	0%
Potassium 407.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.5%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 23.6%