Description
Croque Monsieur, the iconic French sandwich, features golden toasted bread, creamy béchamel sauce, melted Gruyère cheese, and savory ham. This easy recipe delivers the perfect balance of crispy and gooey textures for a taste of Parisian café charm. Perfect for brunch, lunch, or a cozy dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices of French pain de mie or white sandwich bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 thin slices of ham
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese (grated)
- 1 cup béchamel sauce (recipe below)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for béchamel)
Instructions
- Prepare the Béchamel Sauce
- In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour, cooking for 1–2 minutes until slightly golden.
- Gradually add 1 cup of milk, whisking continuously until thickened.
- Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Set aside.
- Assemble the Sandwich
- Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on one side of each slice of bread.
- Layer 2 slices of ham and a generous portion of Gruyère cheese on two of the slices.
- Top each with another slice of bread, béchamel side down.
- Grill the Croque Monsieur
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Place the sandwiches in the skillet and grill for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Slice diagonally and serve warm with a side of salad or French fries.
Notes
- For an even crispier sandwich, toast the bread lightly before assembling.
- Experiment with cheeses like Emmental or Comté for variation.
- To make it a Croque Madame, simply add a fried egg on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Brunch
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: Croque Monsieur, French sandwich, béchamel sauce, Gruyère cheese, brunch recipe, Parisian café dish, French cuisine classic, easy sandwich recipe