Croque Monsieur
Classic French grilled ham and cheese sandwich with creamy béchamel sauce.
10 mins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
2
Servings
Ingredients
- 4 slices of white bread
- 4 slices of ham
- 4 slices of Gruyère cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Nutrition Facts
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Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Make the béchamel sauce: Melt 1 tbsp butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Assemble the sandwiches: Spread béchamel sauce on one side of each bread slice. Layer ham and Gruyère cheese between two slices, sauce-side in.
Melt remaining butter in a skillet over medium heat. Grill the sandwiches until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.
Transfer sandwiches to a baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of béchamel on top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Serve immediately.
Chef's Tips
- Cheese Tip: Gruyère is traditional, but you can substitute with Emmental or Swiss cheese.
- Bread Choice: Use thick-cut white bread for best results. Day-old bread works well too.
- Extra Crispy: For a crunchier top, broil for the last 1-2 minutes of baking.
- Variation: Add a fried egg on top to make it a Croque Madame.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the béchamel sauce up to 2 days in advance.
