Description
Indulge in the classic French comfort food with this Croque Monsieur recipe. A delicious combination of ham, Gruyère cheese, and creamy béchamel sauce, all sandwiched between slices of toasted bread and baked to perfection. This recipe will transport your taste buds to a Parisian bistro!
Ingredients
Scale
For the sandwiches:
- 8 slices white or brioche bread
- 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 4 ounces sliced ham (preferably Parisian or Black Forest)
- 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
For the béchamel sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the béchamel sauce: In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 3–5 minutes. Stir in salt, nutmeg, and Parmesan cheese. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat oven and prepare sandwiches: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly toast the bread slices. Spread Dijon mustard on 4 of the slices, then layer with sliced ham and half the Gruyère cheese. Top with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
- Toast the sandwiches: Spread the softened butter on the outside of each sandwich. Place sandwiches on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 minutes per side, or until golden and slightly crispy.
- Add béchamel and cheese: Remove from oven, spoon béchamel sauce over the tops of each sandwich, and sprinkle with the remaining Gruyère cheese. Return to the oven and broil for 2–3 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a Croque Madame, top each sandwich with a fried or poached egg before serving.
- You can make the béchamel sauce in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Sandwich
- Method: Baking, Broiling
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
