Mornay sauce

Mornay sauce

15 min
Make a creamy mornay sauce at home with our easy recipe. All you need is a few ingredients as well as a flavourful cheese that melts well so you get a cheesy, creamy, and smooth sauce. This velvety goodness is perfectly suitable for lasagne, pasta dishes, and oven-baked potatoes. You can also use it as a cheesy topping for fish, meat, and vegetables. Give it a go!
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Instructions

  • Stir flour and 2 ½ tablespoons of milk together in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in the rest of the milk.
  • Bring it to a boil while stirring. Cook it over low heat for about 5 minutes while continuing to stir.
  • Add grated cheese and salt and let the cheese melt while stirring.
  • Taste the sauce to see if it needs more salt.
Enjoy!
Tips

If the sauce appears too thick for your liking, whisk in some more milk – one tablespoon at a time – until it has the desired consistency. To avoid any lumps, make sure that both the milk and cheese are at room temperature before combining them. If you do end up with clumps, pour the mixture into a sieve to strain out clumps.

Tips

Refrigerate leftovers for later use and store the sauce covered in an airtight container until you would like to serve it. It is also a great way to save time and plan ahead if you are busy. When stored correctly, it will keep for 4-5 days in the fridge.

Questions about mornay sauce

With our recipe, you can whip up a basic mornay sauce in just 15 minutes using only a few ingredients. Read on to learn more below!

What is mornay sauce?
A mornay sauce is a rich white and creamy sauce made in the same manner as a classic béchamel sauce but with the addition of grated cheese. It is a traditional sauce made from flour and milk mixed with grated cheese to give it a savoury and rich flavour and a deliciously creamy and cheesy texture. Our easy recipe can be made quickly and with just a few ingredients, making it the perfect choice on a busy weekday when you need to whip up something delicious for the whole family in a flash.
How to make mornay sauce?
Make a creamy mornay sauce and stir flour and half of the milk together in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan until it is well combined before adding in the rest of the milk. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook it over low heat for about 5 minutes while stirring it. Finally, add grated cheese and salt and stir until the cheese has melted. Taste to see if the flavour is to your liking and add more salt or cheese if needed.
Can you freeze mornay sauce?
Yes, you can freeze mornay sauce for up to 3 months. Once cooked, allow it to cool completely. Transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag before placing it in the freezer. You may want to portion it depending on what you need it for. This will make it easier to thaw the exact amount you need. After thawing, reheat it over low heat and whisk to combine the ingredients.
What does mornay sauce taste like?
Mornay sauce is creamy, cheesy, and savoury. However, the actual taste varies depending on the kind of cheese used in the recipe. But overall, in this recipe due to our choice of cheese, it will have a distinct and classic cheesy flavour with subtle nutty notes.
What is the difference between mornay sauce and béchamel sauce?
The difference between mornay sauce and béchamel sauce is cheese. The latter is one of the 5 mother sauces in French cuisine and is often used as a base for other sauces, as with mornay sauce. By adding grated cheese to the mix and letting it melt, it becomes a classic French sauce with cheese flavour.

Ingredients

Wheat flour
2½ tbsp
Semi-skimmed milk
½ litre
Grated yellow cheese, for example grated cheddar and maasdam cheese
100 g
Coarse salt
¾ tsp
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Easy mornay sauce from scratch

The best mornay sauce you can get is the one you make from scratch at home. With our simple mornay sauce recipe and a few basic ingredients, you can make a classic French cheese sauce and pair it with just about any savoury dish you can think of. The luscious mixture is a staple in French cuisine and will bring your favourite dishes to life by adding a velvety, cheesy finish that is indubitably delicious. Indulge in a rich, creamy mixture enhanced with cheese that yields a subtle nutty aroma.

If you want to experiment with different sauces, you should also try our recipes for homemade bechamel sauce and a simple brown gravy, which both offer plenty of creamy flavours that goes with a variety of family-favourite dinner ideas.

Enjoy a white cheese sauce

Cheese makes everything better! When it comes to this creamy goodness, it is all about the cheesy flavour. Loaded with grated cheese that is melted in a warm fusion of milk and flour, this thick, velvety mixture is a full-on indulgence. Though traditionally made with grated parmesan or gruyere, you can use just about any cheese you like to enrich the white mixture. We have chosen one that combines cheddar and Maasdam, producing a gooey, thick, melty texture you do not want to miss out on.

Delicious uses for mornay sauce

There is something quite captivating about this cheesy goodness. It is incredibly versatile and goes well with a variety of dishes. Use it either as the base of a dish or as a drizzle or side serving if you just want a hint of cheese. The smooth, velvety sauce is a beloved cheesy topping for steamed vegetables or drizzled on top of pasta and chicken dishes. You can add a crowning touch to your Croque madame or serve it with grilled salmon and green beans. As a base, it is perfect for casseroles, pasta dishes, and lasagne, adding a cheesy element with a little heft to your favourite comfort dishes.

Make it your own

Looking for a way to turn up the smack? Add a pinch of nutmeg or cayenne to the mixture for an extra kick of flavour. It will give it a spicy note with a nice depth and warm aroma. You can also add a bit of garlic powder or onion powder to the mix to make it more savoury or give it a herby touch with dill or parsley. This herby edition is especially delicious if you drizzle it over grilled white fish or salmon.

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