Creamy Homemade Béchamel Sauce with Made By Cow Full Cream Milk
You know those recipes that are just good to have up your sleeve?
Béchamel is one of them.
It’s creamy, comforting and surprisingly easy to make. Once you know how to make it, you can use it for so many family favourites, from lasagne and pasta bakes to creamy vegetables and pies.
And the best part?
You probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.
All you really need is butter, flour, milk and a little seasoning.
For ours, we're using Made By Cow Full Cream Milk to give the sauce that lovely rich and creamy texture we all want.
So, if you're already thinking about what to make for dinner tonight, keep this one handy.
Why You'll Love It
This is the kind of recipe you make once and then wonder why you didn't try it sooner.
Simple ingredients – Nothing complicated or hard to find.
Creamy and comforting – Perfect for those cosy family dinners.
Ready in minutes – You can have a homemade sauce on the table without spending hours in the kitchen.
So versatile – Use it in lasagne, pasta, baked vegetables or wherever you need a little extra creaminess.
Easy to make your own – Add cheese, herbs or a little garlic depending on what you're cooking.
And because you're using Full Cream Milk, you're also adding naturally occurring protein, calcium, vitamin B2 and vitamin B12 to the recipe.
The Ingredients You'll Need
Before you start, grab:
50g butter
50g plain flour
500mL Made By Cow Full Cream Milk
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
A small pinch of nutmeg
Optional:
75–100g grated Parmesan, cheddar or Gruyère
Fresh parsley or thyme
Nothing fancy here.
In fact, you might already have everything sitting in your fridge and pantry.
And that's exactly what we love about recipes like this.
Simple ingredients. Homemade. No unnecessary fuss.
Ingredient Spotlight: Full Cream Milk
Let's talk about the ingredient that brings everything together.
Made By Cow Full Cream Milk is cold pressed raw milk sourced from family-owned dairy farms in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, where the cows graze freely on lush green pastures.
It has a naturally rich, creamy flavour, which makes it lovely for cooking.
Think creamy sauces, custards, pancakes, baked dishes and, of course, homemade ricotta.
And because the milk is naturally unhomogenised, you might notice a layer of cream sitting on top when you open the bottle.
Don't worry.
That's exactly how it's meant to be.
Just give the bottle a good shake before you pour.
Made By Cow also uses cold high pressure rather than heat pasteurisation to make the milk safe.
So when you're cooking with it, you're starting with milk that's been kept closer to its natural state.
Good milk makes a difference, especially when it's one of the main ingredients in your recipe.
Step By Step
1. Warm your milk
First, pour your Made By Cow Full Cream Milk into a saucepan and gently warm it over low to medium heat.
You don't need it boiling.
Just get it warm and then set it aside.
While that's happening, you can get your butter and flour ready.
2. Make your roux
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Once it's melted, add the flour and whisk it together.
Keep stirring for about 1–2 minutes.
You'll end up with a smooth, buttery paste.
This is called a roux, and it's what will help turn your milk into that lovely thick, creamy sauce.
Don't let it brown too much.
We're after a pale, creamy sauce here.
3. Slowly add the milk
Now comes the part where you don't want to rush.
Slowly pour the warm milk into the butter and flour mixture while whisking continuously.
Keep whisking as you pour.
It might look a little thin at first, but don't worry. Give it a few minutes and it will start to thicken.
This is also where you'll want to resist the temptation to turn the heat right up.
Low and steady is your friend.
4. Season it
Once your sauce starts to thicken, add the salt, pepper and a little pinch of nutmeg.
Give it a taste.
Want it a little more savoury? Add another pinch of salt.
Making a cheesy version? Now's the time to add your grated cheese.
Stir until everything is smooth and melted.
And just like that, you've made béchamel.
Not bad for a few pantry staples.
5. Put it to good use
Now you've got options.
Layer it through a lasagne.
Pour it over roasted cauliflower or broccoli.
Mix it through pasta.
Use it in a creamy chicken bake.
Or add cheese and turn it into a rich sauce for a cosy pasta night.
Honestly, once you have this sauce down, you'll start finding excuses to put it on everything.
A Few Tips From Our Kitchen
Keep the heat moderate.
If your pan is too hot, the butter and flour can brown before you've had a chance to add the milk.
Add the milk slowly.
It might feel tempting to pour it all in at once, especially when you're trying to get dinner on the table. But taking an extra minute to add it gradually will help you get a much smoother sauce.
Keep whisking.
Especially at the beginning. This helps everything come together without those pesky lumps.
Don't worry if it's a little thin.
Your béchamel will continue to thicken as it cooks and cools.
And if you've accidentally made it too thick?
Easy.
Just add a splash more milk and whisk it through.
That's the beauty of cooking at home. You can adjust as you go.
Why Made By Cow Full Cream Milk?
When you're cooking for the people you love, it's nice to know what's going into the food you're putting on the table.
Made By Cow Full Cream Milk comes from family-owned dairy farms in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, where the cows graze freely on lush green pastures.
The milk has a naturally rich and creamy flavour, making it a lovely choice for everyday cooking.
It's also cold pressed raw milk. Rather than using heat pasteurisation, Made By Cow applies cold high pressure to make the milk safe.
And because it's naturally unhomogenised, the cream can naturally rise to the top.
That's why you'll want to give the bottle a good shake before using it.
It's milk that's a little different from what you might normally find in the fridge.
And that's exactly the point.
Whether you're making a creamy béchamel for tonight's dinner or homemade ricotta for the weekend, Made By Cow Full Cream Milk is made to be enjoyed in the kitchen.
Be Legen-Dairy.
Where To Buy Made By Cow
Ready to give Made By Cow Full Cream Milk a place in your fridge?
Made By Cow is available nationally.
Availability can vary by location, so find your nearest stockist on the Made By Cow website.
Keep a bottle chilled and you'll always have a good starting point for your next homemade meal.
Because when dinner calls, sometimes all you need is a few simple ingredients, a little time in the kitchen and good milk to bring it all together.