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