Croque Monsieur

Classic French Ham & Cheese Sandwich

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

A Croque Monsieur is the quintessential French café sandwich—rich, gooey, and satisfying. It’s layered with creamy béchamel, savory ham, and nutty Gruyère, then baked and broiled to golden perfection. Pair it with a light salad or a fried egg for a Croque Madame variation.

Ingredients

For the 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

For the Sandwiches

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

Instructions

Make the Béchamel Sauce

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2–3 minutes.
3. Gradually add the milk, whisking until smooth and thickened.
4. Season with salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, and nutmeg.
5. Set aside, or cool and refrigerate if making ahead (up to 1 week).

Assemble the Sandwiches

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Spread a layer of béchamel on all 8 slices of bread, all the way to the edges.
3. Place 4 slices, béchamel-side up, on the baking sheet.
4. Top with ham, a handful of Gruyère, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
5. Place the remaining bread slices on top, béchamel-side up again.
6. Sprinkle with remaining Gruyère and Parmesan.

Bake & Broil

1. Bake for 5–6 minutes, until cheese is melted.
2. Switch oven to broil and broil for 2–4 minutes, until the tops are golden and bubbly.

Notes

• Cheese Swap: If you can’t find Emmental, Gruyère is a great substitute.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the béchamel in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Croque Madame Option: Top each finished sandwich with a fried egg (sunny-side up) to create a Croque Madame.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 658
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Protein: 25g
• Fat: 34g
• Saturated Fat: 19g
• Cholesterol: 104mg
• Sodium: 657mg
• Potassium: 254mg
• Sugar: 5g
• Calcium: 520mg
• Iron: 0.9mg

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