Heavenly Croque Madame Recipe: The Classic French Brunch Delight

Nestled in the heart of french cuisine, this croque madame recipe brings a delightful twist to your breakfast routine.

Crispy bread layers meld with creamy béchamel and savory ham.

Melted gruyère cheese creates a golden blanket of comfort.

A perfectly fried egg crowns this classic sandwich with rich, runny yolk.

Parisian cafés have nothing on your kitchen skills now.

Simple ingredients transform into a luxurious morning meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Croque Madame Essentials

• Elevate Classic Comfort: Transform a simple sandwich into a gourmet French-inspired dish that feels like a restaurant-quality meal right at home.
• Master Culinary Technique: Learn the art of making béchamel sauce and perfecting a sophisticated sandwich that impresses family and friends with minimal cooking skills.
• Quick Gourmet Experience: Prepare a luxurious breakfast or brunch option in under an hour, combining rich flavors of ham, cheese, creamy sauce, and perfectly fried eggs.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Enjoy a protein-packed dish that works wonderfully for breakfast, lunch, or a delightful weekend brunch with minimal ingredients and maximum satisfaction.

Ingredients Needed for Croque Madame

• Bread: Sturdy white bread that provides a solid base for the classic French sandwich.
• Ham: High-quality, thinly sliced ham that adds a savory protein element to the dish.
• Cheese: Gruyère or Swiss cheese that melts beautifully and provides rich, creamy flavor.
• Eggs: Fresh eggs that crown the sandwich with a luxurious runny yolk.

• Butter: Essential for creating the smooth béchamel sauce and toasting the bread.
• Flour: Helps thicken the béchamel sauce and create a silky texture.
• Milk: Provides the creamy base for the classic white sauce.
• Mustard: Adds a subtle tangy kick to the béchamel sauce.
• Nutmeg: Provides a warm, aromatic background note to the sauce.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

• Chives, Microgreens, Black Pepper: Fresh herbs and spice that add color, brightness, and a final flavor accent to the finished sandwich.

Simple Steps to Make Croque Madame

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 375°F and position the rack right in the center.

This will create the perfect toasty environment for your sandwich adventure.

Step 2: Create Creamy Béchamel Sauce

In a medium skillet, start melting butter over medium heat.

Sprinkle in flour and whisk energetically for about 30 seconds.

Slowly pour milk while continuing to whisk until the mixture transforms into a silky smooth sauce.

Let it bubble and thicken for 4 minutes.

• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Nutmeg

Step 3: Build Delicious Sandwich Base

Generously spread butter on one side of each bread slice.

On a baking sheet, place four slices butter-side down.

• Ham
• Cheese

Top with remaining bread slices, butter-side facing up.

Slide into the oven and bake until golden and cheese melts, roughly 6 minutes.

Step 4: Add Decadent Cheese Topping

Lavish the sandwiches with béchamel sauce.

Sprinkle extra cheese if you’re feeling indulgent.

Broil until cheese bubbles and turns a beautiful golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Crown With Perfect Eggs

In a skillet, melt a touch of butter or oil.

Gently fry eggs until whites are set but yolks remain gloriously runny, approximately 5 minutes.

Carefully place a sunny egg atop each sandwich.

Step 6: Serve With Flair

• Chopped chives
• Delicate microgreens
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Serve immediately and enjoy your gourmet creation!

Expert Advice for Croque Madame

• Whisk béchamel constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, smooth texture that coats the sandwich beautifully.
• Choose thick, sturdy bread like brioche or country white that can hold the rich ingredients without becoming soggy.
• Use a combination of gruyère and emmental for deeper flavor and perfect stretchy cheese pull.
• Fry eggs at medium-low heat to get perfectly set whites and gloriously runny yolks that create a delicious sauce when cut.
• Select high-quality, thinly sliced ham like Black Forest or French country ham for authentic French flavor profile.

Variations to Try with Croque Madame

• Gluten-Free Croque Madame: Replace regular bread with gluten-free bread and use gluten-free flour for béchamel sauce. Swap traditional ham for turkey or chicken for added variety.
• Vegetarian Version: Substitute ham with grilled portobello mushrooms or roasted eggplant slices. Use plant-based cheese and egg alternatives for a completely meat-free option.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use large lettuce leaves or thin cheese slices as bread replacement. Skip traditional bread and create an open-faced sandwich with same delicious toppings and flavors.
• Vegan Adaptation: Create plant-based béchamel using cashew milk and nutritional yeast. Use tofu scramble instead of eggs and swap ham with marinated tempeh or seitan slices.

Serving Ideas for Croque Madame

• Breakfast Bliss Plate: Pair your Croque Madame with a fresh mixed green salad dressed in light vinaigrette for a balanced morning meal.
• Brunch Companion Combo: Serve alongside fresh-squeezed orange juice or a crisp mimosa to elevate the classic French sandwich experience.
• Gourmet Side Kick: Add roasted cherry tomatoes or quick pickled vegetables to complement the rich, creamy texture of the sandwich.
• Elegant Presentation Touch: Sprinkle extra fresh herbs like parsley or tarragon for a pop of color and added fresh flavor profile.

Proper Storage for Croque Madame

• Store leftover Croque Madame in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual sandwiches tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Unwrap frozen sandwich, place on baking sheet. Warm at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts and sandwich is heated through. Add fresh egg after reheating.
• Reheat for 30-45 seconds, but note texture might become slightly soggy. Best used when oven method isn't available.

FAQs

• What is a Croque Madame?

A classic French sandwich with ham and cheese, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and a sunny-side-up egg, originating from traditional French café cuisine.

• Why is it called a Croque Madame?

The fried egg on top resembles a lady’s wide-brimmed hat, which led to its feminine name “Madame” in French culinary tradition.

• What type of bread works best for this recipe?

Thick, sturdy white bread like brioche or pain de mie is ideal, as it can hold the rich fillings without becoming soggy.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Replace ham with sautéed mushrooms or grilled vegetables while keeping the cheese and egg for a similar rich flavor profile.

Croque Madame Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Parisian cafe charm meets comfort in this irresistible Croque Madame sandwich, blending crispy ham, melted gruyère, and a perfectly sunny-side-up egg. Layers of rich flavors and classic French technique will transport you to a charming bistro with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 8 slices bread
• 12 slices ham (e.g., Boar’s Head)
• 2 cups Gruyère cheese (shredded)
• 4 large eggs

Cheese and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Garnish and Finishing Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
• Fresh chives (chopped)
• Microgreens
• Freshly cracked black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F, positioning the rack in the center to ensure even heating.
2. Create a velvety béchamel sauce by melting butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour for 30 seconds, then gradually incorporate milk, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and thickens (approximately 4 minutes). Remove from heat and blend in mustard, salt, and nutmeg for enhanced flavor.
3. Prepare the sandwiches by generously buttering one side of each bread slice. Arrange four slices butter-side down on a baking sheet, layer with ham and cheese, then top with remaining bread slices, butter-side facing up. Bake for 6 minutes until bread turns golden and cheese melts completely.
4. Lavishly spread the prepared béchamel sauce over the toasted sandwiches. Optionally, sprinkle additional cheese for extra richness. Transfer to the broiler and cook until the cheese bubbles and achieves a beautiful golden-brown color (3-4 minutes).
5. In a separate skillet, melt a small amount of butter or oil. Carefully crack eggs and fry until the whites are fully set but the yolks remain delightfully runny (about 5 minutes). Delicately place one perfectly cooked egg atop each sandwich.
6. Elevate the presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped chives, delicate microgreens, and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately while hot and at peak deliciousness.

Notes

• Butter your bread carefully to ensure even golden-brown crispiness when baking.
• Use room temperature ingredients like milk and butter for smoother béchamel sauce with consistent texture.
• Consider using high-quality ham and Gruyère cheese for more authentic French flavor profile.
• When frying eggs, use a non-stick pan and tilt it slightly to help egg whites set perfectly while keeping yolks beautifully runny.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 920 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 26 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg