sauce essentials: mornay sauce

Name: Sauce Essentials: Mornay Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: ## PLAN/PURCHASE; 4 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter, clarified if possible; 4 tablespoon(s) flour, all-purpose variety; 1 1/2 cup(s) milk, full fat variety; 2 cup(s) gruyère cheese, grated; 2 cup(s) parmesan cheese, grated; 1/8 teaspoon(s) nutmeg, freshly grated; 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt, kosher variety, fine grind, or to taste; 1/2 teaspoon(s) white pepper, freshly ground, or to taste; ## OPTIONAL ITEMS; crumbled, crispy bacon

12 Pinches 13 Photos

Andy Anderson !

Wichita, KS

Updated on Jun 19, 2026

A mornay sauce is considered a classic. It is made with a traditional béchamel (a roux of butter and flour whisked with milk) with grated cheese—typically Gruyère and Parmesan. In addition, it is frequently seasoned with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. It is great when you are looking for a substitute to a traditional tomato-based sauce on dishes like, mac & cheese, nachos, fondue, eggs, fish, chicken, and more. It is easy/peasy to make, with a minimum of ingredients, and comes together in 10 to 15 minutes. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

Rate

prep time 5 Min

cook time 10 Min

method Stove Top

yield 4 serving(s)

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, clarified if possible
4 tablespoons flour, all-purpose variety
1 1/2 cups milk, full fat variety
2 cups gruyère cheese, grated
2 cups parmesan cheese, grated
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1/2 teaspoon salt, kosher variety, fine grind, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon white pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
OPTIONAL ITEMS
crumbled, crispy bacon

How To Make sauce essentials: mornay sauce

Step 1

PREP/PREPARE

Step 2

Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
Step 3

Add the butter to a heavy bottomed pot, or skillet with high walls. Set the heat to medium-low, and allow the butter to completely melt.
Step 4

Add the flour and whisk into the melted butter, until incorporated.
Step 5

Add the milk, and whisk until it begins to thicken, about 5 – 7 minutes.
Step 6

Remove from the heat, and stir in the nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Step 7

Add the cheeses, and stir until melted into the béchamel.
Step 8

Keep warm, until ready to use.
Step 9

PLATE/PRESENT
Step 10

Serve in place of a tomato sauce with items like pasta, chicken, fish, or other items. Enjoy.
Step 11

Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
Step 12

Namaste’
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