Creamy homemade white sauce is easy to make in one pot and ready in only 15 minutes it’s perfect to use as a pizza sauce, top veggies or served over pasta!
Want more sauce recipes? Try my Alfredo sauce, garlic white pizza sauce and bechamel sauce.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients: All you need is a few fresh ingredients and some simple pantry staples and this easy recipe for white sauce can be whipped up in a moments notice!
- Easy to make: Made in one pot in 15 minutes this white sauce recipe is ready in less time it would take to get it delivered from the store!
- Versatile: Not only great as a white pasta sauce recipe, but it can be used as a sauce for gnocchi, pizza recipes or to top steamed vegetables.
How to Make White Sauce
- Make roux base: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat then add garlic and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over the top, whisk until smooth and cook until it no longer foams.
- Add liquids: Whisk in the broth until smooth then slowly whisk in the milk until the sauce begins thickens. Season with salt and pepper and cook a couple more minutes until desired consistency is reached.
- Finish white sauce: Remove the pan from heat and whisk in the Parmesan cheese until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper then serve warm with cooked pasta and fresh chopped parsley.
Recipe Variations
- Dried herbs: Add 1 teaspoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning when adding the Parmesan cheese.
- Heat: Sprinkle in some red chili flakes for a little spicy heat.
- Cheesier: Add up to 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella with the Parmesan cheese. Your white sauce will be thicker.
- Protein: Add leftover grilled chicken, cooked shredded chicken, diced ham or shrimp to add some protein to the white sauce recipe.
- Produce: A few favorites include halved cherry tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, asparagus and bell peppers.
Storage Instructions
To store leftover white sauce, cool to room temperature and store covered in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The sauce will thicken as it cools. To thin it, reheat slightly in the microwave stirring occasionally until desired consistency is reached.
I do not recommended freezing the sauce as separation will occur upon thawing.
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White Sauce Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic , minced (1 1/2 teaspoons)
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth , at room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk (or 2%) , at room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt , to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper , to taste
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese , plus more if desired
For serving: Cooked pasta, Chopped parsley
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the garlic and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over the top and whisk until smooth and no longer foaming. Cook another minute.
- Whisk in the broth until smooth (if wanting the sauce slightly thicker, start with 3/4 cup broth). Slowly whisk in the milk until the sauce thickens. Stir in salt and pepper. Cook a couple more minutes.
- Remove from heat. Whisk in the cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Serve while warm with cooked pasta and topped with parsley, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Condiments, Gluten-Free, Italian, Nut-Free, One Pot, Sauces, Stovetop, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
Really good! Family loved it. I had some heavy cream to use up so I did use 1/2 cup of that but otherwise followed exactly. Will add this to our dinner rotation!
My kids love white sauce pasta!! This is a very family-friendly recipe!
I love finding better than a store-bought jar recipe, and this is a GEM! I have used this sauce to make Alfredo and white pizza – my family LOVES it!
This is so perfect with our favorite pizza! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!