Best 5 Basic White Sauce And Variations Recipes

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When it comes to cooking, white sauce is a versatile and essential culinary component that serves as a foundational element in numerous dishes. This classic sauce is crafted using a simple combination of butter, flour, and milk, creating a smooth, creamy, and flavorful base for a wide range of applications. Whether you're looking to elevate the richness of a pasta dish, add depth to a casserole, or create a velvety sauce for vegetables, this article will guide you through the fundamentals of making a basic white sauce, along with inspiring variations that will transform your culinary creations.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

BASIC WHITE SAUCE



Basic White Sauce image

For years, I've used this smooth white cream sauce for pasta to make many dishes. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. -Lois Gelzer, Standish, Maine

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 10m

Yield 1 cup.

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash white pepper
1 cup 2% milk

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Use immediately or refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 51 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 81mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

WHITE SAUCE



White Sauce image

This white sauce, also known as Béchamel sauce, is one of France's four "mother sauces," and it's a perfect complement to many dishes. Pair it with vegetables, turn it into a creamy casserole or ladle it over seafood or sliced chicken.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Condiment

Time 10m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk

Steps:

  • In 1 1/2-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat.
  • Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 25, Carbohydrate 1 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 tablespoon, Sodium 55 mg, Sugar 0 g, TransFat 0 g

WHITE SAUCE



White Sauce image

I learned to make white sauce in Home Ec too many years ago to count. It can be used as a base for lots of dishes. I use it for macaroni and cheese for my granddaughter.

Provided by CJO

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 3

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and stir until the butter and flour are well combined. Pour in milk, stirring constantly as it thickens. Add more milk depending on desired consistency.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 47.8 calories, Carbohydrate 2.9 g, Cholesterol 10.1 mg, Fat 3.5 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 1.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 33 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

BASIC WHITE SAUCE WITH VARIATIONS



Basic White Sauce With Variations image

Basic white sauce is an ingredient used in many dishes. Here is the way to make it. Then you can add an ingredient and make a different, more flavorful sauce.

Provided by Lorraine of AZ

Categories     < 15 Mins

Time 15m

Yield 2 cups dip

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups warm milk
salt
white pepper
2 cups well-flavored chicken stock
1 cup shredded cheese, of choice

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook 2 minutes to cook away the raw taste of the flour.
  • Add the milk all at once. Stir well, and continue heating until mixture comes to a boil. It will thicken as it heats.
  • Season to taste with salt and white pepper.
  • To make Veloute Sauce: Substitute the chicken stock for the milk.
  • To make Cheese Sauce: Stir in shredded cheese of choice into the cooked Basic White Sauce and stir until melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 689.9, Fat 48.8, SaturatedFat 29.6, Cholesterol 138.5, Sodium 1172.3, Carbohydrate 36.5, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 3.9, Protein 27

MAGIC WHITE SAUCE (AND VARIATIONS)



Magic White Sauce (and Variations) image

Sick of lumpy sauce? Hate making that flour and butter roux? Here's the answer! This is the easiest version of White Sauce ever. You won't believe it works until you try it! You will need a wire balloon whisk for this recipe and you must make sure that all ingredients are cold (or at least at room temperature) to begin with. Thanks to English food writer, Delia Smith, for discovering this all-in-one method. The following are my simplified adaptations for Basic White Sauce, along with variations for Mustard Sauce, Cheese Sauce (Mornay Sauce) and Parsley Sauce.

Provided by Kookaburra

Categories     Sauces

Time 20m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups milk (low fat or non-fat milk works fine)
100 g butter or 100 g margarine, chopped into small pieces
1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Steps:

  • Pour milk into a saucepan.
  • Add all other ingredients.
  • Place pan over a medium heat, and, using a wire balloon whisk, whisk sauce constantly until butter melts.
  • Be sure to work the whisk into the edges of the pan to incorporate all the flour.
  • Whisk frequently until the mixture comes to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
  • Taste and add extra seasoning if required.
  • Variations: Mustard Sauce Make sauce as per recipe, but use 1 ½ cups milk and ½ cup chicken stock.
  • Along with the salt, add 2 teaspoons mustard powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder and substitute a good pinch of cayenne pepper for the black pepper.
  • Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice when sauce is completed.
  • Cheese Sauce Make sauce as per recipe, but use 1 cup milk and 1 cup cream.
  • Along with the salt, add a good pinch of nutmeg and substitute a good pinch of cayenne pepper for black pepper.
  • At the simmering stage stir in 75g- 100g grated tasty cheese (I like a mixture of mature cheddar and parmesan).
  • Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice when sauce is completed.
  • Parsley Sauce Make sauce as per recipe, but use 1 ¾ cups milk and ¼ cup cream.
  • When sauce is finished, mix in 4 tablespoons finely chopped parsley and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.

Tips:

  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent scorching.
  • Whisk constantly to avoid lumps.
  • Cook the sauce over medium heat until it has thickened.
  • Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Add your favorite herbs and spices for a flavorful variation.
  • Use a roux made with equal parts butter and flour for a richer sauce.
  • For a gluten-free sauce, use cornstarch or arrowroot powder instead of flour.
  • To make a vegan sauce, use plant-based milk and butter alternatives.
  • Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat the sauce over low heat, stirring constantly.

Conclusion:

White sauce is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a flavorful and creamy sauce that will elevate your next meal.

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