Name: Croque Monsieur Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick); ¼ cup all-purpose flour; 1½ cups whole milk; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard; Dash of ground nutmeg; 8 thin slices white sandwich bread; 5 ounces good quality ham (about 8 slices); 6 ounces Gruyere cheese or Emmental cheese, grated (about 2½ cups); ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

The Croque Monsieur is a classic French ham and cheese sandwich, elevated with a creamy béchamel sauce and melted Gruyere cheese. Crispy on the outside and decadently gooey inside, it’s perfect for a comforting lunch or snack.

Two triangular sandwich halves are placed on a round white plate with a gray rim, sitting on a white marbled surface. Each sandwich is toasted to a light golden brown on the edges and covered with a thick layer of melted, bubbly white cheese on top, dotted with small brown spots and sprinkled with fresh green thyme leaves. Inside, thin slices of pink ham peek out slightly between the toasted bread and cheese layers. Small crumbs and extra thyme leaves are scattered around the plate for decoration. In the background, a part of a white tray with more sandwiches is visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Béchamel sauce:

¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick)
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1½ cups whole milk
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Dash of ground nutmeg

Sandwich:

8 thin slices white sandwich bread
5 ounces good quality ham (about 8 slices)
6 ounces Gruyere cheese or Emmental cheese, grated (about 2½ cups)
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Make the béchamel sauce by melting butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes.
Step 2: Gradually add the milk while stirring well until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens.
Step 3: Season the sauce with salt, pepper, mustard, and nutmeg. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Step 5: Spread each slice of bread with a layer of béchamel sauce, covering the edges completely.
Step 6: Place 4 slices of bread, béchamel side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Top each with a slice of ham, a handful of Gruyere, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Step 7: Cover with the remaining bread slices, béchamel side up. Then top with the remaining Gruyere and Parmesan cheese.
Step 8: Bake for 5-6 minutes until the cheese melts. Then switch the oven to broil and broil for 2-4 minutes until the top cheese is lightly golden.
Step 9: Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

Substitute Emmental cheese for Gruyere if preferred, both work beautifully in this recipe.
Prepare the béchamel sauce ahead of time; cover tightly with plastic wrap on the surface and refrigerate up to 1 week.
For a Croque Madame, add a sunny-side-up egg on top of each sandwich after baking.
Use day-old bread for better texture and less sogginess.

Storage

Store leftover Croque Monsieur sandwiches wrapped tightly in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and the cheese is melted again. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bread soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of three toasted sandwiches on a white marbled surface. Each sandwich has two thick slices of golden-brown toasted bread. The top layer of each sandwich is covered with melted, bubbly white cheese with light brown spots, which slightly spills over the edges. There are small green herb leaves, possibly thyme, scattered on top of the melted cheese and around the sandwiches on the surface. The texture of the cheese looks creamy and rich, contrasting with the crispy bread beneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of bread for Croque Monsieur?

Yes, you can use other white or rustic breads, but thin slices of sandwich bread work best to achieve the classic texture and crispness.

Is there a vegetarian version of Croque Monsieur?

To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the ham and add extra cheese or grilled vegetables like mushrooms or spinach inside the sandwich.