Magic White Sauce and Variations
Elevate your culinary creations with this versatile and foolproof Magic White Sauce recipe, the perfect base for countless dishes. Made with simple pantry staples like butter, flour, and milk, this creamy Béchamel-style sauce comes together in just 15 minutes, offering a silky smooth texture and rich flavor seasoned with a hint of nutmeg for a subtle, aromatic touch. What makes this recipe truly magical are the variations—easily transform it into a decadent Cheese Sauce, a savory Garlic Sauce, or an herbaceous Herb Sauce with a few easy additions. Whether you’re whipping up a luscious pasta, layering a lasagna, or drizzling it over roasted vegetables, this customizable white sauce is your go-to solution for comfort food made deliciously simple. Keywords: white sauce recipe, Béchamel sauce, cheese sauce, garlic sauce, herb sauce, creamy sauce, easy sauce recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole, 2%, or skim)
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons ground white or black pepper
- 0.125 teaspoons nutmeg (optional, freshly grated)
Instructions
In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until fully liquid but not browned.
Once the butter has melted, add the flour to the saucepan. Stir the flour and butter together with a whisk or wooden spoon to form a smooth paste (this is called a roux). Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to eliminate the raw flour taste, but avoid browning.
Gradually pour in the milk, about 1/4 cup at a time, while whisking constantly to ensure the mixture remains smooth. Continue adding and whisking until all the milk is incorporated.
Increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking or scorching. The sauce will begin to thicken after 4-5 minutes of simmering.
Once the sauce reaches your desired thickness, reduce the heat to low and stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as necessary.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and use the white sauce immediately in your dish, or let it cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
506 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.9 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.2 g | 101% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 102 mg | 34% | |
| Sodium | 1380 mg | 60% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36.0 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.0 g | ||
| Protein | 17.8 g | 36% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.0 mcg | 25% | |
| Calcium | 622 mg | 48% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 764 mg | 16% | |
*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.
