Bechamel/8 recipes

Granny's ham and potato gratin for a crowd layers parboiled potatoes, diced ham, and Swiss cheese with a mustard-garlic bechamel. Feeds 24, bakes in under an hour, and can be assembled a day ahead.

Individual mushroom souffles built on a Parmesan bechamel with sauteed mushrooms, shallots, and a hint of mace. Baked in ramekins and served straight from the oven.

Oven chicken croquettes bake instead of frying, with cooked chicken bound in thick bechamel, rolled in parmesan breadcrumbs, and drizzled with butter for a golden crust. A lighter take on a retro American classic.

Macaroni and cheese with cheddar crumbs builds a classic mustard-spiked cheddar bechamel over elbows, then crowns it with buttered fresh breadcrumbs and more cheddar before baking.

Chard enchiladas: corn tortillas rolled with sautéed Swiss chard in a creamy cheddar bechamel, topped with hot salsa and baked. A vegetarian weeknight alternative to meat fillings.

Cheesy fisherman's grill: canned salmon and fresh crab folded into a parsley-tomato béchamel, topped with parmesan, and broiled bubbling gold. A quick seafood gratin for two.

Foolproof lasagna with ground beef in tomato sauce, layered with ricotta and mozzarella, then topped with a creamy parmesan béchamel for the crowning finish.

Asparagus ham rolls baked under homemade cheddar cheese sauce and golden breadcrumbs. Three asparagus spears per roll, covered in creamy bechamel.

Mediterranean lasagna layers tender pasta with eggplant in tomato sauce and a creamy mix of ricotta, feta, and yogurt. A vegetarian Greek-Italian fusion lasagna without ground meat or heavy bechamel.

Low-fat creamed spinach: fresh spinach wilted with shallot and garlic, then folded into a light milk-based bechamel with nutmeg and Parmesan. All the creamy comfort with far less fat.

Old fashioned macaroni and cheese layers cooked elbows with sharp cheddar in a milk-and-egg custard, baked under a paprika-dusted cheese crust. No bechamel, no shortcuts.

Rich Bolognese meat sauce layered with tender noodles, creamy béchamel, and nutty Parmesan in this authentic Italian comfort classic that feeds a crowd.

Old-fashioned creamed spinach with bacon, onion, and a milk-based bechamel. The classic steakhouse side dish made from scratch in 30 minutes.

Eggplant au gratin with sauteed mushrooms in a creamy bechamel sauce, topped with Parmesan bread crumbs and broiled golden. A rich French-style vegetable casserole.

Danish-style fried herrings breaded with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, pan-fried in butter and served with a creamy onion béchamel sauce. A classic Scandinavian comfort dish.

Family macaroni and cheese blends Velveeta into a classic béchamel for ultra-creamy sauce, then bakes with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack on top until bubbly. Crowd-pleasing weeknight comfort.