Bechamel/3 recipes

Mirlitons farcis aux crevettes: stuffed chayote squash filled with a shrimp and bechamel filling, topped with cheddar breadcrumbs, and baked golden. A New Orleans Creole classic.

Greek moussaka layered with golden-fried eggplant, sliced potatoes, spiced ground beef or lamb in tomato, and a rich parmesan bechamel custard topping. A traditional Mediterranean casserole that bakes to a deep golden crust.

Roasted butternut squash, rosemary, and garlic lasagne: a vegetarian fall pasta layered with roasted squash bechamel, parmesan, and a billowy whipped cream top that bakes into a golden crust.

A layered vegetable lasagna with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, featuring both spinach and mixed vegetable fillings in a creamy béchamel sauce. Feeds eight in about an hour.

Saltsa aspri is Greek white sauce (béchamel) in three thicknesses for moussaka, pastitsio, soups, and soufflés. Butter, flour, warm milk, and nutmeg build the classic Mediterranean base.

Macaroni meal-in-a-casserole with corn macaroni, diced ham, cheddar, peas, and olives in a creamy mustard-spiked bechamel. Retro one-pan dinner for busy weeknights.

Baked pasta shells with mushroom cream: a lightened chicken-and-pasta casserole with peas, mushrooms, pimentos, and Parmesan breadcrumb topping. Cornstarch-thickened sauce means no heavy bechamel.

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.

Mama Blue's shrimp patties: Gulf shrimp bound in a thick béchamel with green onions, hot sauce, and paprika, then breaded and pan-fried golden. A Lowcountry shrimp cake with a rich, silky center.

Garlicky sauteed shrimp in a white wine cream sauce spooned over vibrant spinach noodles. A homemade bechamel, shallots, and fresh chives make this scampi richer than your usual butter-and-garlic version.

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.

A white sauce chicken lasagne layered with spinach, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The buttery basil-scented béchamel makes this a creamy, comforting alternative to red sauce lasagna.

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.

Belgian endive wrapped in ham and baked au gratin with a cheesy bechamel sauce, breadcrumbs, and fresh tomato slices. A classic Belgian comfort dish for dinner or an elegant appetizer.