Description
Croque Monsieur is the ultimate French ham and cheese sandwich layered with creamy béchamel, melty cheese, and golden, crisp bread. Try this cozy classic and enjoy a taste of Paris at home!
Ingredients
For the Béchamel Sauce:
½ cup milk
½ cup heavy cream
1½ tbsp (25 g) unsalted butter
1½ tbsp all-purpose flour
¼ tsp kosher salt
Pinch white pepper
⅛ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
For the Sandwich:
4 slices sourdough or pane di casa
8 slices Swiss or Gruyère cheese (165 g)
120 g smoked ham slices
4 tsp Dijon mustard
30 g unsalted butter
For the Topping:
½ cup shredded Gruyère
3 tbsp finely shredded Parmesan
Instructions
Preheat oven to 200 °C (390 °F) or 180 °C fan.
Warm milk and cream until steaming—do not boil.
Make a roux with butter and flour; cook 3 mins.
Whisk in milk gradually, add seasonings, and stir until thick.
Spread béchamel on 4 bread slices.
Layer cheese, mustard, ham, and more cheese on two slices.
Close with remaining bread.
Pan-fry sandwiches in butter until golden.
Top with béchamel, Gruyère, and Parmesan.
Bake 15 mins, then broil 2–4 mins until bubbly and golden.
Serve with fries and salad for the full bistro experience.
Notes
Use sturdy bread like sourdough or ciabatta to support fillings.
Avoid mozzarella; it melts well but lacks flavor.
Make-ahead: assemble and freeze raw, then thaw and cook.
Use freshly grated cheese for best melt and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 1440 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 83 g
- Protein: 67 g