Croque-Monsieur
Croque-Monsieur is the quintessential French comfort food that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet experience. With crispy bread enveloping layers of rich Gruyère cheese and savory ham, each bite is a delightful explosion of flavor. Enhanced by a creamy béchamel sauce and baked to perfection, this sandwich is ideal for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Treat yourself to this easy yet sophisticated recipe that brings a taste of Paris to your kitchen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 thick slices white bread
- 4 oz thinly sliced ham
- 4 oz Gruyère cheese (shredded)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for spreading)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter. Whisk in flour until smooth, then gradually add milk while stirring until creamy.
- Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper; cook on low until slightly thickened (about 5 minutes).
- Butter one side of each slice of bread. Layer ham and cheese between unbuttered sides and spoon béchamel on top.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat; toast sandwiches until golden brown (about 3 minutes per side).
- Place sandwiches on a baking sheet, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake for 10 minutes until bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (225g)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: - For extra flavor, sear the ham before layering it in the sandwich. - Customize by adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach for added nutrition. - Store leftover Croque-Monsieur in an airtight container for up to three days; reheat in a toaster oven for optimal crispiness.