Croque Monsieur
Croque Monsieur is a classic French hot sandwich featuring layers of ham and Gruyère cheese tucked between toasted bread slices. Smothered with a creamy béchamel sauce enriched with Parmesan and cheese, then baked until bubbly and golden, it delivers a satisfying combination of textures from the crunchy exterior to the melting cheese inside. The Dijon mustard adds a tangy depth that balances the rich creaminess. This sandwich is ideal for a hearty lunch or casual dinner when you want comfort with a touch of elegance.
Ingredients
Béchamel Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter salted or unsalted
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese packed, grated
Sandwich
- 1 1/2 cups gruyere cheese 6 oz, grated
- 8 lices French bread or Italian loaf bread
- 12 ounces ham sliced, leftover
- Dijon mustard to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
Make the Béchamel Sauce
- In a small saucepan, melt butter on medium/low heat until it just starts to bubble.
- Add the flour, stirring until smooth for about 2 minutes.
- Slowly add the milk, whisking continuously. Cook until it's thickened and then remove from heat.
- Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg and then slowly stir in the parmesan and about 1/4 cup of the Gruyère and stir to melt all of the cheese.
Assemble the Sandwiches
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add sliced bread and add them to the oven, cook for a couple of minutes on each side to toast. Or use a toaster oven - but you will still need parchment paper lined baking sheets.
- Add bread slices to parchment lined baking sheet and brush the toasted slices with mustard, to taste (we love a lot of mustard!). Add the ham slices and about 1 cup of the remaining Gruyère cheese. Top with the other toasted bread slices.
- Spoon on the béchamel sauce to the tops of the sandwiches. Sprinkle with the remaining Gruyère cheese.
- Bake in the oven on the medium rack for 5 minutes, then turn on the broiler and broil for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese topping is bubbly and lightly browned. You can also grill the sandwiches in a skillet on the stove top and then just finish them in oven to melt the cheese.
- Slice in half and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 sandwiches
Amount Per Serving
Calories 928
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 928kcal | 46% |
| Carbohydrates | 80g | 27% |
| Protein | 54g | 108% |
| Fat | 43g | 66% |
| Saturated Fat | 21g | 105% |
| Cholesterol | 137mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 2017mg | 84% |
| Potassium | 568mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 846IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 735mg | 74% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.