Croque Monsieur Recipe
Croque Monsieur is a classic French toasted ham and cheese sandwich featuring layers of tender ham, melted Gruyere cheese, and a rich béchamel sauce. Baked to golden perfection and broiled for a crispy cheesy top, this indulgent sandwich is perfect for a comforting lunch or brunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
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
- Make the Béchamel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes to form a roux. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously until the sauce is smooth. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat, then whisk in Dijon mustard and a dash of nutmeg. Set the sauce aside or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Tray: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set it aside for assembling the sandwiches.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread a generous layer of béchamel sauce evenly on each slice of bread, covering to the edges. Place 4 slices of bread béchamel side up on the prepared baking tray. Top each slice with a piece of ham, followed by a handful of grated Gruyere cheese and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Top the Sandwiches: Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top of the ham and cheese layers, also béchamel side up. Finally, sprinkle the remaining Gruyere and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of each sandwich.
- Bake and Broil: Bake the sandwiches in the preheated oven at 425°F for about 5-6 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Then switch the oven to broil and broil the sandwiches for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese on top is lightly golden and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
- Cheese Options: Emmental cheese is traditional but can be substituted with Gruyere if hard to find, both provide excellent flavor and texture for this sandwich.
- Advance Preparation: The béchamel sauce can be made ahead of time. Allow the sauce to cool, cover its surface with plastic wrap to avoid skin forming, and refrigerate for up to one week.
- Croque Madame Variation: To turn this into a Croque Madame, fry one sunny-side-up egg per sandwich in a skillet while the sandwiches bake. Place the fried egg on top of each sandwich before serving.
Keywords: Croque Monsieur, French sandwich, ham and cheese sandwich, béchamel sauce, baked sandwich, Gruyere cheese, comfort food
Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/croque-monsieur-recipe/
