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Croque Monsieur Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 141 reviews

Croque Monsieur is a classic French toasted ham and cheese sandwich topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and melted Gruyere cheese. This elegant yet simple recipe combines crispy bread, savory ham, and rich cheeses for a delightful meal served hot from the oven.

Ingredients

Scale

Béchamel Sauce

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Dash of ground nutmeg

Sandwich

  • 8 thin slices white sandwich bread
  • 5 ounces good quality ham (about 8 slices)
  • 6 ounces Gruyere cheese or Emmental cheese, grated (about 2½ cups)
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Make the Béchamel Sauce: Melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes to form a roux. Gradually add the whole milk, stirring well continuously until the mixture becomes smooth. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
  2. Season the Sauce: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the Dijon mustard and a dash of ground nutmeg. Set the béchamel sauce aside while you prepare the sandwiches, or refrigerate for up to a week if making in advance.
  3. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  4. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread a generous layer of the béchamel sauce evenly over each slice of sandwich bread, covering all the way to the edges. Place 4 slices of bread, béchamel side up, on the prepared baking tray.
  5. Add Ham and Cheese: Top each bread slice with a slice of ham, followed by a handful of grated Gruyere cheese, and sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese. Place the remaining 4 bread slices on top, béchamel side up, then evenly distribute the remaining Gruyere and Parmesan cheese over the top slices.
  6. Bake the Sandwiches: Bake the sandwiches at 425°F for about 5-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Broil for Golden Finish: Turn the oven to broil and cook the sandwiches for an additional 2-4 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese on top is lightly golden and perfectly bubbly.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of garlic powder to the béchamel sauce.
  • Use a sturdy white sandwich bread or brioche bread for best texture after baking.
  • The béchamel sauce can be made up to a week in advance and refrigerated until ready to use.
  • Watch closely while broiling to avoid burning the cheese.
  • You can substitute Gruyere with Emmental cheese for a slightly different but traditional taste.
  • To make the sandwich extra crispy, you can toast the bread lightly before assembling.

Keywords: Croque Monsieur, French sandwich, ham and cheese sandwich, béchamel sauce, Gruyere cheese, baked sandwich

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/croque-monsieur-recipe/