6 Béchamel Sauce Substitutes to Save Your Dish

Béchamel sauce is a classic, creamy base that's hard to beat (a French white sauce made from a roux of butter and flour combined with milk).

One time, we tried using a mix of milk and cream cheese when we were out of béchamel ingredients. It wasn't perfect, but it turned out surprisingly good. Another go-to for us is making a quick roux with butter, flour, and broth-it adds a different flavor but still gets the job done.

The best part? You probably already have most of these substitutes at home.

Whether you're making lasagna or whipping up a casserole, these options will help keep your dish smooth, creamy, and delicious.

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6 Easy Substitutes for Bechamel Sauce

Here are six easy substitutes for béchamel sauce that will save you in a pinch:

1 - Alfredo Sauce

Did you know you can use Alfredo sauce instead of béchamel? It's creamy, rich, and already seasoned (with a pronounced Parmesan-and-butter flavor).

You'll save time since it's ready to go.

Use a 1:1 ratio for substitution. This means one cup of Alfredo sauce replaces one cup of béchamel.

The texture is smooth and creamy, making it a great fit for lasagna or casseroles.

Alfredo has a garlic and cheese flavor, so it changes the taste slightly. We'd recommend it for recipes where the extra flavor will blend well.

Check out these Alfredo sauce substitutes to find other flexible options that work just as well in recipes like yours: Alfredo sauce substitutes.

2 - Heavy Cream with Flour

It all started when we ran out of béchamel sauce and had to improvise. Heavy cream with flour is a quick fix.

Mix one cup of heavy cream with a tablespoon of flour.

Stir until smooth. The result is a thick, creamy base.

It mimics béchamel's texture closely (with a slightly richer mouthfeel).

Use it in a 1:1 swap for béchamel in recipes. This works best in dishes where the creaminess shines, like baked pasta or casseroles.

The flavor is neutral, which makes it super flexible.

Keep stirring to avoid clumps. It's easy to make and works in a pinch.

If you're curious about more flexible options for heavy cream, check out this guide on cream cheese swaps for baking.

3 - Greek Yogurt Sauce

If you've ever been stuck without béchamel, Greek yogurt sauce is here to save the day. It's creamy, tangy, and surprisingly versatile (made from strained milk for a thicker consistency).

Use it as a 1:1 swap for béchamel in recipes.

It works especially well in dishes that can handle a little extra zing, like lasagna or white sauce pizza.

The texture is smooth and thick, just like you want it. Stir it well to avoid lumps and fold it in slowly.

The flavor is more pronounced than béchamel, thanks to the yogurt tang.

It's great for lighter recipes or when you're aiming for a healthier twist.

We've found plain, full-fat Greek yogurt works best for this; see greek yogurt swaps for texture.

Keep it in mind for those moments when the béchamel craving strikes and all you have is yogurt.

4 - Cream Cheese Sauce

It's rich and creamy, just like you want from a white sauce (with a tangy, slightly salty profile). Use an equal amount of cream cheese in place of the béchamel called for in your recipe.

The texture is thick and velvety, making it perfect for lasagna or baked dishes that benefit from a heartier base. The flavor is tangy and cheesy, so use it only when you're okay with changing up the taste slightly.

5 - Coconut Milk with Cornstarch

While it might sound like an unusual combination, coconut milk and cornstarch make a fantastic substitute for béchamel sauce. The result is rich, creamy, and vegan-friendly (with a subtle coconut sweetness).

Use one cup of canned coconut milk with a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken it up.

Mix well and heat until thickened, then use in your recipe as a 1:1 swap for béchamel. The texture is silky and smooth, perfect for dishes like casseroles or pasta bakes.

Keep in mind that the flavor of coconut will come through in this substitute; see coconut milk swaps for curries.

6 - Ricotta Cheese with Milk

If you've ever been stuck without béchamel sauce, ricotta cheese with milk is the combo you need. Mix 1 cup of ricotta with 2-3 tablespoons of milk to get a smooth, spreadable texture.

The result is creamy with a mild, cheesy flavor. It's thicker than béchamel, so it works best for lasagnas and baked pasta dishes.

The slight sweetness of ricotta improves your dish, making it stand out (with a mild, milky sweetness).

Blend until lump-free. Use it as a 1:1 substitute for béchamel.

It's not ideal for dishes needing a super light sauce, but it gets the job done for hearty recipes.

For more substitution ideas, check out this guide on ricotta cheese substitutes.