Description
The Croque Monsieur is a classic French sandwich that combines crispy bread, melted cheese, savory ham, and creamy béchamel sauce. Originating from Parisian cafés, this dish has become a worldwide favorite, known for its rich flavors and indulgent texture. Whether you’re making it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a light dinner, this Croque Monsieur recipe is easy to follow and delivers an authentic French 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
Making the Béchamel Sauce
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat
Whisk in flour and cook until light golden
Gradually add warm milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps
Season with salt, nutmeg, and black pepper
Stir until thickened, then remove from heat
Assembling the Croque Monsieur
Spread Dijon mustard on one side of a bread slice
Layer ham and half of the grated cheese on top
Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce over the ham
Place the second slice of bread on top
Cooking the Croque Monsieur
Pan-Frying Method
Butter the outer sides of the sandwich
Heat a pan over medium heat and toast the sandwich for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown
Cover the pan with a lid for the last minute to help the cheese melt
Baking Method
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C)
Place the sandwich on a baking sheet, spread béchamel sauce and the remaining cheese on top
Bake for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden
Notes
For extra crispiness, toast the bread lightly before assembling
Use high-quality Gruyère or Emmental cheese for the best flavor
If the cheese isn’t melting properly, cover the pan while toasting to trap heat
For a Croque Madame variation, add a fried or poached egg on top 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