🥪 Croque Monsieur (Classic French Ham & Cheese Toasted Sandwich)
A warm, cheesy, and slightly fancy grilled sandwich that’s easy to make at home.
Ingredients (2 servings)
- 4 slices of bread (white or sourdough)
- 2 slices cooked ham
- 2 slices Gruyère or Swiss cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1–2 tbsp flour
- ¾ cup milk
- Pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg (optional)
- Dijon mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Make béchamel sauce:
- Melt 2 tbsp butter in a small pan over medium heat.
- Stir in flour and cook 1–2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
- Cook 2–3 minutes until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Assemble sandwiches:
- Spread mustard on bread slices if using.
- Place ham and cheese between two slices of bread.
- Spread a thin layer of béchamel on top and sprinkle extra cheese.
- Cook sandwiches:
- Oven method: Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F. Bake on a tray 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Stovetop method: Heat a pan over medium heat, cover, and cook 3–4 minutes per side until cheese melts and top is golden.
- Serve: Cut in half and enjoy warm.
Tips
- For a Croque Madame, top with a fried egg. 🍳
- Can add sautéed mushrooms or tomato slices for extra flavor.
- Gruyère is traditional, but Emmental or mozzarella works too.
I can also give a quick skillet-only version that skips the béchamel but stays cheesy and delicious. Do you want that?
