Basic White Sauce

Makes about 2 cups sauce

4 Tbsp butter
4 Tbsp flour
½ tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 c milk

Heat butter in 2-qt saucepan over medium heat until melted. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute.

Variations:
Thin White Sauce: Decrease butter and flour to 2 Tbsp each.
Thick White Sauce: Increase butter and flour to ¼ cup each.
Cheese Sauce: After boiling and stirring sauce 1 minute, stir in 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese until melted.