Homemade White Sauce Mix

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/10/21
Homemade White Sauce Mix

Will Heap/Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 7 servings

Getting dinner together on a busy weeknight can be a challenge, so easy shortcuts like a white sauce mix can make a big difference. Instead of whisking together a homemade Alfredo sauce every night or using the pricey jarred version with a long list of ingredients, make your own mix. It comes together quickly and can be stored in the refrigerator for a quick, hassle-free sauce.

When using the mix, you can make this a cheese sauce by adding freshly grated cheese of any type. Fresh or dried herbs and garlic are also a nice addition. The white sauce, or bechamel sauce, is easy to customize for use in a wide variety of dishes—it's called a "mother sauce" for a reason.

The finished sauce is excellent in casseroles and can be used to make super-fast macaroni and cheese or scalloped potatoes. White sauce is used in some lasagna recipes and other Italian dishes, or simply as a sauce for meat or vegetables. It can also be turned into cream sauce or Mornay sauce in just a few minutes. If you use a lot of white sauce, simply double this recipe and use the mix within a couple of months.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, optional

  • 1 cup butter, or margarine, or oil spread

Steps to Make It

Make the Mix

  1. In ​a medium bowl, combine the dry milk powder, flour, salt, and white pepper (if using) and mix well with a whisk.

  2. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter or margarine until mixture resembles cornmeal and no large pieces of butter remain.

Make the Sauce

  1. To make white sauce using the mix, combine 1/2 cup mix and 1 cup cool water in a small saucepan.

  2. Cook over low heat until smooth, stirring constantly with a whisk. Season as desired. Makes about 1 cup sauce.

Tip

Unlike store-bought white sauce mixes, this homemade version needs to be stored in the refrigerator.

Variations

  • To substitute for a 16-ounce jar of purchased Alfredo sauce, use 3/4 cup of the mix and 1 3/4 cups of water.
  • Add freshly shredded cheese (cheddar, Parmesan, Swiss) when cooking to make a cheese sauce. Crumbled blue or goat cheese will also work.
  • Add chopped fresh herbs at the end of cooking for some brightness, like basil, tarragon, or parsley.
  • Add dried herbs for extra flavor like marjoram or oregano. A pinch of red pepper flakes will lend a spicy kick.
  • Add garlic powder for a garlic sauce, or sauté fresh, minced garlic and add while cooking. Roasted garlic, smashed into a paste, can also be added during cooking for a mellow garlic flavor.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
418 Calories
32g Fat
24g Carbs
9g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 7
Amount per serving
Calories 418
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g 41%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Sodium 713mg 31%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 0g 2%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 1mg 6%
Calcium 245mg 19%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 355mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)