Delia Smith White Sauce​ Lasagne Recipe

This creamy Delia Smith white sauce lasagne Recipe is made with milk infused with aromatic onion and herbs, butter, and plain flour. The result is a velvety, glossy, and rich sauce that serves as the essential foundation for a delicious homemade lasagna. This recipe is perfect for a comforting weekend family dinner and makes enough sauce to layer into a standard baking dish.

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Delia Smith white sauce lasagne Recipe Ingredients

• 15 fl oz (425 ml) milk: Whole milk works best for a creamy texture.
• A few parsley stalks: These add a fresh, herbal note to the infusion.
• 1 bay leaf: Dried or fresh.
• 1 blade of mace: (Optional) This is a spice from the nutmeg family that adds a warm flavor. You can also use a pinch of powdered mace.
• 10 whole black peppercorns: To flavor the milk.
• 1 slice onion: About ¼ inch (5 mm) thick.
• 1½ oz (40 g) butter: Unsalted is preferred so you can control the salt level.
• ¾ oz (20 g) plain flour: This thickens the sauce.
• Salt and freshly milled black pepper: To season the finished sauce.

How To Make Delia Smith white sauce lasagne Recipe

1. Infuse the milk: Place the milk, parsley stalks, bay leaf, mace, peppercorns, and the slice of onion into a small saucepan. Place it over low heat.
2. Simmer gently: Let the milk come up to a simmering point very slowly. This should take about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and strain the milk into a jug. Throw away the flavorings. You can do this step ahead of time.
3. Make the paste (roux): Wash the saucepan and dry it. Place it over gentle heat and melt the butter. Do not let the butter brown. Once melted, add the flour. Use a wooden spoon to stir vigorously over medium heat until you have a smooth, glossy paste.
4. Add milk gradually: Add a small amount of the infused milk (about 1 fl oz or 25 ml) to the paste. Stir vigorously. Once that milk is mixed in, add the next small amount and stir again.
5. Whisk the sauce: When you have added about half of the milk, switch to a balloon whisk. Start adding larger amounts of milk, whisking briskly each time. You will end up with a smooth, creamy sauce.
6. Simmer to finish: Turn the heat down to the lowest setting. Let the sauce cook gently for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally.
7. Season: Taste the sauce and add salt and freshly milled black pepper to your liking.

Recipe Tips

• Cook the Flour: The final 5-minute simmer is very important. It cooks the raw taste out of the flour so your sauce tastes rich, not powdery.
• Add Milk Slowly: Adding the liquid slowly at the beginning is the secret to a lump-free sauce. If you dump all the milk in at once, the flour paste will break into tiny lumps that are hard to fix.
• Prevent a Skin: If you aren’t using the sauce immediately, pour it into a jug and press a piece of clingfilm directly onto the surface of the hot sauce. This stops a rubbery skin from forming on top.
• Control the Heat: Be careful not to burn the butter when melting it. Browned butter will change the color of your white sauce and give it a nutty taste that might not match your lasagna.

What To Serve Delia Smith white sauce lasagne Recipe

Since this sauce is a key building block for lasagna, the finished dish pairs well with classic Italian sides. Serve your lasagna with a crisp green salad with vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the cheese and sauce. A side of garlic bread or focaccia is perfect for scooping up any extra sauce on the plate. For vegetables, roasted broccoli or steamed green beans are excellent, light choices.

How To Store Delia Smith white sauce lasagne Recipe Leftovers

• Refrigerate: If you have made the sauce ahead of time, let it cool completely. Store it in an airtight container with clingfilm pressed against the surface. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze white sauce, though the texture might change slightly. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you thaw it, the sauce may look separated. Whisk it vigorously while reheating gently on the stove to bring it back together.

Delia Smith white sauce lasagne Recipe Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx 1/6 of recipe)

• Calories: 105 kcal
• Total Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 80mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 6g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 3g
• Protein: 3g

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I skip the infusion step with the onion and herbs? Yes, if you are in a rush, you can skip the infusion. However, this step adds a classic, savory depth of flavor that makes the sauce taste professional rather than just milky.
• What do I do if my sauce has lumps? Don’t panic! If you get lumps, take the sauce off the heat and whisk it very furiously. If that doesn’t work, you can pour the sauce through a sieve or use an immersion blender to smooth it out.
• Can I use low-fat milk? You can use semi-skimmed milk, but the sauce will be less creamy. Skim milk is not recommended as it lacks the fat content needed for a rich, velvety texture.

Try More Recipes:

• Delia Smith Cheese Sauce​ Recipe
• Delia Smith Bread Sauce​ Recipe
• Delia Smith​ Cranberry Relish Recipe