Croque Monsieur
The ultimate French grilled ham and cheese sandwich with creamy béchamel sauce.
Comfort Food
Family Friendly
Quick & Easy
Ingredients
- 4 slices white sandwich bread
- 4 slices good-quality ham
- 100g Gruyère cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- 1 Make béchamel: melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, cook 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until thick and smooth. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- 2 Spread Dijon mustard on 2 slices of bread.
- 3 Layer ham and half the Gruyère on the mustard-spread slices. Top with remaining bread.
- 4 Spread béchamel sauce generously on top of each sandwich. Sprinkle remaining Gruyère over the sauce.
- 5 Place on a baking sheet and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 10-12 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- 6 Let cool for 2 minutes before serving. Enjoy with a simple green salad.
About This Recipe
The Croque Monsieur is France's answer to the grilled cheese sandwich — but elevated to an art form. Layers of ham and melted Gruyère cheese sit between golden toasted bread, all topped with a silky béchamel sauce.
Born in Parisian cafés in the early 1900s, this sandwich remains a staple of French comfort food. Simple ingredients, extraordinary result.
