42 bechamel recipes

Crab cakes bound with a silky béchamel and sharpened with dijon, horseradish, and capers, then pan-fried in a crisp breadcrumb crust until deep golden brown.

Scalloped salmon or trout baked in shells with sauteed fennel, bacon, and a mustard béchamel. An old-school British fish starter with anise sweetness and smoky depth.

Minced chicken bound in a thick béchamel with mayo, shaped into balls, triple-coated in flour, egg, and crushed saltines, then deep-fried until shatteringly crisp and golden.

Creamed cucumbers boil cucumbers tender, then toss in a paprika-spiked béchamel of butter, flour, and milk. A vintage Scandinavian-leaning side dish for fish and roast pork.

Jerusalem artichoke gratin layered under a creamy goat cheese bechamel, dusted with breadcrumbs and baked golden for a French bistro side dish that comes together in an hour.

Scalloped corn deluxe casserole with fresh corn kernels, sharp cheddar, rose wine bechamel, and a buttery cracker-crumb topping. A retro side dish with serious holiday-table presence.

Pompano en papillote: New Orleans classic of Gulf pompano baked in foil packets over a sherry-spiked béchamel studded with shrimp and crab. Antoine's-style fine dining at home.

Elbow macaroni bakes with tomato sauce, sharp cheddar, and chicken broth in this Southern-style casserole. The standing time lets the broth soak into the pasta for creamy texture without a béchamel.

Creamy leek soup blends sauteed leeks and onion with vegetable stock, then enriches with a butter-flour-milk-cream bechamel. Smooth, silky pureed soup for a cool-weather starter or light lunch.

Sausage-stuffed mushrooms: caps filled with hot Italian sausage seasoned with fennel and red pepper, bound with a creamy bechamel, studded with olives and topped with Parmesan, then baked until bubbling and browned. A standout party appetizer.