Velvet

Gruyère and Parmesan Mornay Sauce

Inspired by techniques from NYT Cooking and Serious Eats.

Mornay sauce · French

A smooth white sauce with nutty Gruyère and sharp Parmesan melted in off the heat, ready to pour or bake.

Prep5 min
Cook10 min
Total15 min
DifficultyEasy
Per serving206 kcal
FreeVegetarianNo added sugar
Servings4Recipe makes 4
Allergens (EU 14)
GlutenCrustaceansEggsFishPeanutsSoybeansMilkTree nutsCeleryMustardSesameSulphitesLupinMolluscs

Always check the labels of the products you use.

Method

  1. 1

    Cook the roux. Melt the butter over medium-low heat, add the flour and whisk for about 1 min until smooth and no longer floury, without letting it brown.

  2. 2

    Whisk in the milk. Pour in the milk slowly while whisking hard, so the sauce stays free of lumps.

  3. 3

    Simmer. Bring it to a bare simmer, turn the heat down and cook for 3-5 min, whisking often, until it is thick enough to coat a spoon.

  4. 4

    Melt in the cheese. Turn off the heat and whisk in the Gruyère and Parmesan until melted and glossy. Avoid boiling it again, as the cheese can turn grainy.

  5. 5

    Season and serve. Add the salt, white pepper and nutmeg. Spoon over cauliflower or other vegetables and bake until golden for a gratin, or serve warm in a bowl.

Storage

Cover the surface and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Warm over low heat, stirring and adding a splash of milk, without boiling. Cool leftovers in a shallow container and refrigerate within 2 hours (within 1 hour on a day above 32°C).

Equipment

  • small heavy saucepan
  • whisk
  • fine grater
  • heatproof spatula

Nutrition per serving (estimated values)

Per servingAmount
Energy206 kcal
Protein8.8 g
Carbohydrate10.1 g
of which sugars4.7 g
of which free sugars0 g
Fat14.6 g
of which saturates8.7 g
Fibre0.2 g
Salt0.73 g

Protein per 100 kcal

4.3 g High Protein needs ≥ 10 g

Calculated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient values