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Croque Monsieur Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 81 reviews

Croque Monsieur is a classic French grilled ham and cheese sandwich elevated with creamy béchamel sauce, melted Gruyere, and a crispy golden top. This elegant yet simple baked sandwich combines rich flavors and a delightful texture, perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

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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

  1. Prepare Béchamel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook while stirring continuously for about 3 minutes to form a roux. Gradually add the whole milk, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
  2. Season Sauce: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Season the béchamel with salt, freshly ground black pepper, Dijon mustard, and a dash of ground nutmeg. Whisk to combine and set aside. The sauce can also be prepared up to one week in advance and refrigerated.
  3. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Tray: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
  4. Assemble Sandwiches – First Layer: Spread each slice of bread evenly with a layer of béchamel sauce, covering the surface completely to the edges. Arrange 4 slices of the bread, béchamel side up, on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Add Fillings: On each of the 4 prepared bread slices, lay down a slice of ham followed by a generous handful of grated Gruyere cheese. Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese over the Gruyere.
  6. Assemble Sandwiches – Top Layer: Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top of the ham and cheese, béchamel side up. Then, sprinkle the remaining Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses evenly on top of the sandwiches.
  7. Bake and Broil: Bake the sandwiches in the preheated oven at 425°F for about 5-6 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Then, switch the oven to broil and broil the sandwiches for 2-4 minutes until the cheese on top turns lightly golden and bubbly.
  8. Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the oven. Let them cool slightly before serving to enjoy the gooey, melty interior and crispy cheesy top.

Notes

  • Béchamel sauce can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to one week. Reheat gently before using.
  • Use day-old bread for the best texture, as it absorbs the béchamel sauce without becoming soggy.
  • Gruyere cheese is traditional, but Emmental or another Swiss cheese works well.
  • To make a Croque Madame, add a fried egg on top of the finished sandwich before serving.

Keywords: Croque Monsieur, French sandwich, baked ham and cheese, béchamel sauce, Gruyere, easy French recipe

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/croque-monsieur-recipe/