Croque Monsieur Recipe
French · Main course · 35 min total
A classic French bistro sandwich with ham, Gruyère cheese, and béchamel sauce, baked until golden and bubbly.
15
min prep
min prep
20
min cook
min cook
2
servings
servings
620
kcal/serving
kcal/serving
Ingredients
- 4 slices white bread (about 1/2 inch thick)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 4 oz Gruyère cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
- 4 oz thinly sliced cooked ham (about 4 slices)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make béchamel: In a small saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, salt, and nutmeg. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp grated Gruyère until melted. Set aside.
- Spread 1 tbsp butter on one side of each bread slice. Place 2 slices buttered side down on the prepared baking sheet. Spread each with 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard (if using). Top each with half the ham, then half the remaining Gruyère (about 3 tbsp each). Place remaining bread slices on top, buttered side up.
- Spread béchamel sauce evenly over the top of each sandwich (about 2-3 tbsp per sandwich). Sprinkle remaining Gruyère on top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until bread is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly. For extra browning, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end. Serve hot.
Tips
- For a Croque Madame, top each sandwich with a fried egg before serving.
- Use a good-quality ham like Parisian or Black Forest for best flavor.
- Leftover béchamel can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently before using.
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