Besciamella (Italian Béchamel Sauce)

Name: Besciamella (Italian Béchamel Sauce)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 2 lbs (900g) enough to make one large lasagna
Ingredients: 5 tablespoons butter; 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 4 and 1/4 cups whole milk; 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg; salt and pepper; Parmigiano Reggiano or other cheese

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Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
2 mins
Total Time
22 mins
Servings
2 lbs (900g) enough to make one large lasagna
Calories
84 kcal
Course
Condiments
Cuisine
Italian

Besciamella (Italian Béchamel Sauce)

Christopher House

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Italian Bechamel Sauce known as Besciamella in Italy is a thick creamy white sauce made from butter, flour and milk. This classic sauce is rich and delicious and so easy to make. Use it to make authentic Italian dishes such as Lasagna Bolognese or Pasta al Forno.

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Ingredients

Servings

5 tablespoons butter (70g)
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour (70g)
4 and 1/4 cups whole milk (1 litre)
1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

Optional addition

Parmigiano Reggiano or other cheese to taste

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Instructions

Heat the milk in a saucepan until warm then turn off the heat.
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter then add the flour to create a roux (it should look like a paste). Use a whisk to stir the mixture allowing it to cook for 1-2 minutes.
Next, whilst constantly whisking add one third of the milk. Whisk the sauce vigorously to avoid any lumps, it should thicken very quickly. Add the next third of milk and whisk until smooth then finally add the rest of the milk. Whisk the sauce until thick and smooth.
Add the nutmeg, salt and pepper and continue to cook the mixture for a few minutes (whilst whisking) until thickend and silky smooth. Turn off the heat, the bechamel sauce is ready to use.
Note: if adding cheese add it at the end and stir until fully melted.

Notes

Use warm milk - warm milk helps the sauce thicken quickly. It's totally fine to use cold milk (I have done many times) it'll just take a little longer to thicken. Use a whisk - a small hand whisk is necessary when incorporating the milk into the roux or else you'll end up with a lumpy sauce. Prevent a skin from forming - as the besciamella cools a skin will form pretty quickly if you don't cover it. Place a sheet of plastic wrap (cling film) directly on top making sure it touches the surface of the sauce to prevent the skin from forming. Storage and freezing - the sauce will keep well in the fridge (covered to prevent a skin) for about 2-3 days or once cooled completely, it can be frozen in freezer bags. Sauce not thickening? turn the heat up it's likely the sauce wasn't hot enough and whisk the sauce until thickened.
Use warm milk - warm milk helps the sauce thicken quickly. It's totally fine to use cold milk (I have done many times) it'll just take a little longer to thicken.
Use a whisk - a small hand whisk is necessary when incorporating the milk into the roux or else you'll end up with a lumpy sauce.
Prevent a skin from forming - as the besciamella cools a skin will form pretty quickly if you don't cover it. Place a sheet of plastic wrap (cling film) directly on top making sure it touches the surface of the sauce to prevent the skin from forming.
Storage and freezing - the sauce will keep well in the fridge (covered to prevent a skin) for about 2-3 days or once cooled completely, it can be frozen in freezer bags.
Sauce not thickening? turn the heat up it's likely the sauce wasn't hot enough and whisk the sauce until thickened.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 84kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Trans Fat 0.3g Cholesterol 19mg (6%) Sodium 57mg (2%) Potassium 9mg (0%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 0.04g (0%) Vitamin A 219IU (4%) Calcium 4mg (0%) Iron 0.3mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2lbs (900g) enough to make one large lasagna

Amount Per Serving

Calories 84 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	84kcal	4%
Carbohydrates	4g	1%
Protein	1g	2%
Fat	7g	11%
Saturated Fat	5g	25%
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.3g	2%
Monounsaturated Fat	2g	10%
Trans Fat	0.3g	15%
Cholesterol	19mg	6%
Sodium	57mg	2%
Potassium	9mg	0%
Fiber	0.2g	1%
Sugar	0.04g	0%
Vitamin A	219IU	4%
Calcium	4mg	0%
Iron	0.3mg	2%