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Basic White Sauce Salsa Di Besciamella Recipe

Master the art of making authentic Italian Salsa di Besciamella, a versatile white sauce foundational to countless dishes! This classic recipe, shared by renowned Italian cook Maryanne Esposito of Ciao Italia (Channel 11, NH), is incredibly simple yet elegant. Perfect for lasagne, baked vegetables, fish, or as a base for countless flavorful sauces. Learn how to create a smooth, creamy bechamel that will elevate your Italian cooking to the next level. Make it ahead and refrigerate – it thickens as it sits, easily thinned with a splash of milk upon reheating. This basic recipe is free of herbs and spices, allowing you to customize it to perfectly complement your chosen dish.

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Calories 416.5 kcal
Protein 19g
Rating 5.0 (2 Reviews)
Basic White Sauce Salsa Di Besciamella 120

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Basic White Sauce Salsa Di Besciamella

  • 1/4 cup (57g) Unsalted Butter
  • 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups (709ml) whole milk
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

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How to Make Basic White Sauce Salsa Di Besciamella

  1. Melt 1/4 cup (57g) of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Do not brown the butter.
  2. Whisk in 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour until a smooth paste forms without any streaks of flour.
  3. Gradually whisk in 3 cups (709ml) of whole milk in a steady stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
  4. Cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, for 8-10 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. The sauce should be smooth and creamy.
  5. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add any desired herbs or spices after cooking.
  6. (Optional) To serve immediately, keep warm over very low heat. If making ahead, refrigerate for up to 3-4 days and thin with additional milk before reheating.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

5 g

Sugar

0g

Fat

100g

Carbs

7g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

European Italian Vegetarian 30 Minutes Or Less

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

30 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Cuisine Preparation 5 Ingredients Or Less Sauces Condiments Etc Easy European Beginner Cook Italian Stove Top Dietary Low Sodium Low Carb Low In Something Equipment