Description
French bistros come alive with this classic Croque Monsieur, a luxurious sandwich layered with rich ham, melted gruyère, and creamy béchamel. Parisian comfort meets culinary elegance, inviting you to savor each indulgent bite of this quintessential French comfort dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 slices of ham
- 8 slices of white bread
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk (240 milliliters)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 pinch of nutmeg
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal environment for transforming the sandwich into a crispy, cheesy delicacy.
- Craft a velvety béchamel sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in flour, and gradually incorporating milk until a smooth, creamy texture emerges. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper, then set aside to rest.
- Prepare the sandwich foundation by generously spreading butter on one side of each bread slice and painting the opposite side with a delicate layer of Dijon mustard.
- Layer ham and a generous blanket of Gruyère cheese onto the mustard-coated bread, then crown with another slice, buttered side facing outward.
- Ignite a skillet over medium heat and gently toast each sandwich until a golden-brown crust develops, approximately 3 minutes per side.
- Arrange the toasted sandwiches on a baking sheet, lavishly draping them with the prepared béchamel sauce and sprinkling additional Gruyère cheese across the top.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, baking for 5 minutes, then activate the broiler for 2-3 minutes to achieve a bubbling, golden-brown cheese surface.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately while the sandwich radiates warmth and crispy elegance.
Notes
- Swap regular bread with whole wheat or gluten-free options for dietary needs.
- Use turkey ham or veggie ham for a lighter protein alternative that keeps the classic flavor profile.
- Grate cheese fresh for maximum melting potential and richer taste compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Control béchamel sauce thickness by adjusting milk quantity – less milk creates a thicker, richer sauce while more milk results in a lighter consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg