Bechamel Sauce

Recipe courtesy Mario Batali

Show: Molto MarioEpisode: Basic Pasta Sauces

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (19)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(19)

Cook Time:
20 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
3 cups

Times:

Prep: 5 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 20 min
Total:: 25 min

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Ingredients

5 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups milk
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium-low heat until melted. Add the flour and stir until smooth. Over medium heat, cook until the mixture turns a light, golden sandy color, about 6 to 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a separate pan until just about to boil. Add the hot milk to the butter mixture 1 cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth. Bring to a boil. Cook 10 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat. Season with salt and nutmeg, and set aside until ready to use.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Bechamel Sauce
Cari Somerset, NJ 02-08-2010
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This is it!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I needed a sauce for the fresh pumpkin tortellini I nabbed at Whole Foods. This sauce was super simple (ok, I had to stand... whisking for 10 minutes, but whatev) and came out smooth and creamy. Will definitely use this as a basic bechamel recipe.Read more
recipe Bechamel Sauce
Lesli Pebble Beach, CA 11-30-2009
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Perfect Bechamel for My Hot Crab Sandwich
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This sauce is absolutely 'Restaurant Professional'! I was looking for exactly that to make my 'Hot Crab Sandwich'... reincarnation of the one I eat at the Old Fisherman's Grotto on Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf. It was PERFECT. Thank you, Mario!Read more
recipe Bechamel Sauce
Laura New York, NY 11-21-2009
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Good, but better with tweaking!
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I followed the recipe as instructed but found that it came out too watery and milk-tasting. I would suggest cutting the milk... in half for smaller recipe needs, or doubling the butter and flour amounts if you're going to use the 4 cups of milk. Read more
recipe Bechamel Sauce
Julie Redondo Beach, CA 11-09-2009
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easy, perfect
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Easy, perfect white sauce everytime. Thank you
recipe Bechamel Sauce
David Victoria, TX 09-25-2009
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Croque Madame with Bechamel Sauce
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Recipe delicious with your Bechamel sauce. I would reduce both salt and nutmeg by half. OK, this was bread with slices of... ham and cheese cooked as a sandwich in a sandwich maker or Geo. Foreman grill, topped with a fried egg and covered with Bechamel sauce. --For you guys: This takes SOS to a new height!Read more
recipe Bechamel Sauce
Keith Phoenix, AZ 09-23-2009
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Great Sauce
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

The sauce came out perfect as is... nice & creamy & thick. Maybe folks didn't cook it for the entire 10 minutes. It got... thicker as it cooked. The only negative thing was I thought it was a bit too salty. Next time I'd just ad one teaspoon. Thanks Mario... You're te BEST!! Keith, Phoenix, AZRead more