Copycat Knorr classic white sauce mix

Name: Copycat Knorr White Sauce Mix
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder; 3 tablespoons cornstarch; 4 teaspoons salt; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 1 teaspoon ground white pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 2 teaspoons granulated sugar; 1/4 cup dry mix; 1 cup cold milk; 1 tablespoon butter ((optional))

This post may contain affiliate links, see Disclosure.

I keep finding Knorr’s white sauce packets in the “international foods” aisle for anywhere from $2 to $10 depending on the store, and every single time I think the same thing: this is flour, milk powder, salt, and a spice cabinet’s worth of stuff I already own. So I built a copycat version that lives in a mason jar on my pantry shelf and costs pennies per batch instead of dollars.

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This isn’t a thin, gluey imitation either. It’s a real bechamel base, the same family of sauce that shows up under cauliflower cheese, lasagna, and chicken a la king. Whisk it into cold milk, bring it to a simmer, and five minutes later you’ve got a smooth, pourable white sauce with a little onion and nutmeg working in the background (that’s the flavor note most homemade versions skip, and it’s the one that makes this taste like the packet instead of like flour paste).

The dry mix keeps for months in an airtight jar, which means one batch of this recipe sets you up for a whole season of quick dinners. No trip to the specialty aisle, no scrambling when a recipe calls for “1 packet white sauce mix” and you don’t have one.

You’ll Need:

Copycat Knorr White Sauce Mix

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
3 tablespoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Whisk everything together in a bowl until the color’s even, no streaks of flour or milk powder left. Break up any clumps in the milk powder with the back of a spoon while you’re at it. Transfer to an airtight jar. That’s the whole mix, done in under five minutes.

💡 Expert Tip: Sift the flour and milk powder together before you add the spices. Milk powder clumps easily, and a quick sift now means a smooth sauce later instead of white pepper freckles.

To Use:

For one batch (the equivalent of one store packet), whisk 1/4 cup of the dry mix into 1 cup of cold milk until fully dissolved, no lumps.

Pour into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it comes to a simmer and thickens, about 5 minutes.

Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter at the end for richness (optional, but it closes the gap between “homemade” and “restaurant”).

One batch makes about 1.5 cups of sauce, enough to sauce a pound of pasta, top a casserole, or thin down for cream soup base. Use 1/4 cup anywhere a recipe calls for white sauce, bechamel, or “1 packet Knorr white sauce mix.”

Store the finished sauce in the fridge for up to 4 days in a sealed container. The dry mix itself keeps in a cool, dry pantry for 6 months, or in the freezer indefinitely. Label the jar with the “to use” ratio (1/4 cup mix to 1 cup milk) so you’re not hunting for this post every time you need it.

A note on the nutmeg: it’s a small amount, but don’t skip it. It’s the ingredient that makes this taste like a bought packet instead of homemade white gravy, and it disappears completely once the sauce is cooked.

💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Copycat Knorr White Sauce Mix

Ingredient	Walmart Item	Pkg Price	Amount Used	Cost Used
All-purpose flour	Great Value All-Purpose Flour, 5 lb	$2.38	1 cup	$0.13
Nonfat dry milk powder	Great Value Instant Nonfat Dry Milk, 25.6 oz	$8.86	3/4 cup	$0.62
Cornstarch	Great Value Corn Starch, 16 oz	$1.92	3 tbsp	$0.10
Salt	Great Value Iodized Salt, 26 oz	$0.84	4 tsp	$0.03
Onion powder	Great Value Onion Powder, 3.25 oz	$1.08	2 tsp	$0.05
Ground white pepper	Great Value Organic Ground White Pepper, 2.05 oz	$4.36	1 tsp	$0.17
Ground nutmeg	Great Value Ground Nutmeg, 1.8 oz	$6.53	1/2 tsp	$0.15
Granulated sugar	Great Value Pure Granulated Sugar, 4 lb	$2.97	2 tsp	$0.01

💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown	Cost
🧾 Total Batch Cost	$1.26
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Cost Per Batch (replaces 1 packet)	$0.16
🏪 Store-Bought Comparison (Knorr Béchamel packet, 1.6 oz)	$9.99
💰 You Save	$9.83 per packet-equivalent

📅 Walmart prices last verified August 24, 2026 for zip code 48439. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change.

Want to know exactly what each batch costs down to the penny? Here’s how to calculate the real cost of a recipe (the same method used for the price breakdown above).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as Knorr’s white sauce mix?

It’s a homemade version built to match the flavor and function of the store packet: a savory, oniony bechamel base that thickens with cold milk. The exact commercial formula includes a few additives (like modified starches and flavor enhancers) that don’t belong in a home pantry, so this version leans on real pantry staples instead.

Can I use whole milk powder instead of nonfat?

Yes. Whole milk powder makes a slightly richer sauce and works in the same amount. Nonfat keeps the mix shelf-stable a bit longer, which is why it’s the default here.

What can I substitute for white pepper?

Black pepper works flavor-wise, but it leaves visible dark flecks in a sauce that’s supposed to stay white. Use half the amount of black pepper if white pepper isn’t in your spice cabinet.

Why is my sauce lumpy?

Lumps almost always mean the dry mix went into hot liquid, or the milk powder wasn’t fully whisked in before cooking. Always whisk the mix into cold milk first until smooth, then heat gradually while whisking.

How long does the dry mix stay good?

Up to 6 months in a sealed jar in a cool, dry pantry. Freeze it for longer storage; the mix doesn’t clump in the freezer since it’s already low-moisture.

Can I make this gluten free?

Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The cornstarch is already gluten-free, so it’s the only flour swap needed.

What recipes use white sauce mix?

Cauliflower cheese, chicken a la king, lasagna, creamed vegetables, tuna casserole, and any recipe that calls for a quick bechamel base without building a roux from scratch.

Can I double the batch?

Yes, the dry mix scales cleanly. Double every ingredient for a bigger jar, and keep the 1/4 cup mix to 1 cup milk ratio the same when you cook it.

Does this work with plant-based milk?

Unsweetened oat or soy milk both work. Skip almond milk, since it tends to thin out and never fully thickens the same way.

Why add sugar to a savory sauce mix?

It’s a small amount meant to round out the onion and pepper, not to make the sauce sweet. Commercial white sauce mixes use the same trick; you won’t taste it as sugar, you’ll just notice the sauce tastes more finished without it missing.

Tag us on Instagram if you make this one, we love seeing the jars lined up on your pantry shelf.