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Croque Monsieur Recipe

Croque Monsieur Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 22 reviews

Croque Monsieur is a classic French grilled ham and cheese sandwich topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and melted Gruyere cheese. This recipe features a rich, velvety béchamel sauce flavored with Dijon mustard and nutmeg, layered with ham and two kinds of cheese, then baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner with a crisp, cheesy top and a soft, savory interior.

Ingredients

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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

Sandwiches

  • 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 Béchamel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes to form a roux. Gradually add the whole milk, whisking continuously until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
  2. Season Sauce: Remove from heat and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk in the Dijon mustard and a dash of ground nutmeg for added flavor. Set the béchamel sauce aside while you assemble the sandwiches, or refrigerate for up to 1 week if preparing in advance.
  3. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set it aside for assembling the sandwiches.
  4. Prepare Bread: Spread each slice of bread evenly with a layer of the béchamel sauce, covering the surface all the way to the edges to ensure maximum creaminess.
  5. Assemble Sandwiches: Arrange four of the bread slices, béchamel side up, on the prepared baking tray. Top each with one slice of ham, a generous handful of grated Gruyere cheese, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
  6. Complete Sandwiches: Place the remaining four slices of bread on top of the cheese layer, béchamel side up. Then, evenly distribute the remaining Gruyere and Parmesan cheese on top of the sandwiches.
  7. Bake: Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake for about 5-6 minutes, or until the cheese has melted thoroughly.
  8. Broil for Finish: Switch your oven setting to broil and broil the sandwiches for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese on top turns lightly golden and bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  9. Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving warm for a delightful rich and cheesy experience.

Notes

  • You can substitute Emmental cheese if Gruyere is unavailable.
  • For a lighter version, use low-fat milk instead of whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
  • To make Croque Madame, top each sandwich with a fried egg after baking.
  • Leftover béchamel sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • Broiling time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Nutrition

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

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