Description
Croque Monsieur is a classic French ham and cheese sandwich, perfect for brunch or any meal. With layers of gooey Gruyère cheese and savory ham nestled between crispy, buttered bread, every bite is an indulgent experience. Whether you’re gathering with family or hosting friends, this delightful dish will impress everyone at the table and transport you straight to a charming Parisian café.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 thick slices of sourdough or brioche bread
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 4 oz thinly sliced ham (prosciutto or smoked)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for spreading)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the béchamel sauce: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for about 1 minute. Gradually stir in 1 cup of milk until thickened. Mix in Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper; simmer gently.
- Assemble sandwiches: Butter one side of two slices of bread and place one slice butter-side down. Layer with ham and half the Gruyère cheese. Top with another slice of bread, butter-side up.
- Fry: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook each sandwich for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place sandwiches on a baking sheet, top with remaining béchamel sauce and Gruyère cheese, then bake for 10-12 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Brunch
- Method: Baking/Frying
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (200g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: - Use day-old bread for better texture. - Experiment with different cheeses like Emmental or add sautéed mushrooms for variation. - For extra cheesiness, layer more cheese inside before baking.