Description
The Croque Monsieur is a classic French sandwich made with crispy toasted bread, savory ham, creamy béchamel sauce, and melted Gruyère cheese. First introduced in Parisian cafés in the early 1900s, this indulgent dish has remained a favorite in French cuisine. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, or a quick lunch, this Croque Monsieur recipe is simple to prepare and delivers a restaurant-quality experience right at home.
Ingredients
For the Croque Monsieur
Bread (brioche or sourdough) – 2 slices
Ham (Parisian or smoked) – 2 slices
Gruyère or Emmental cheese – ½ cup (grated)
Butter – 2 tbsp
Dijon mustard – 1 tsp
Béchamel sauce – ½ cup
For the Béchamel Sauce
Butter – 2 tbsp
Flour – 2 tbsp
Milk – 1 cup
Salt – ½ tsp
Nutmeg – ¼ tsp
Black pepper – ¼ tsp
Instructions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat
Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden
Gradually add milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps
Season with salt, nutmeg, and black pepper
Cook until thickened, then remove from heat
Spread Dijon mustard on one slice of bread
Layer ham and half of the grated cheese
Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on top
Place the second slice of bread on top
Butter the outer sides of the sandwich
Toast in a pan over medium heat until golden brown on both sides
Place on a baking sheet, top with more béchamel sauce and the remaining cheese
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes until bubbly and golden
Notes
Lightly toast the bread before assembling for extra crispiness
Use high-quality Gruyère or Emmental cheese for the best flavor
Cover the pan while toasting to help the cheese melt evenly
For a Croque Madame variation, top with a fried or poached egg before serving
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-fried & Baked
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
Keywords: Croque Monsieur recipe, French sandwich, Classic Croque Monsieur, Béchamel sandwich