Classic French Croque Monsieur
Indulge in the rich, savory flavors of a Classic French Croque Monsieur, a delightful sandwich that has become a staple of French cuisine. Perfectly toasted white bread is layered with succulent Virginia ham and generously topped with a creamy béchamel sauce made from scratch, enhanced with nutty Gruyère and tangy Parmesan cheese. Whether enjoyed for breakfast or as a satisfying lunch, this comforting dish is sure to impress your family and friends. Serve it hot and bubbly for an authentic French café experience right in your own kitchen.
8
Servings
400
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unsalted Butter
2 tablespoons (Melted)
All-Purpose Flour
3 tablespoons (Measured)
Hot Milk
2 cups (Heated)
Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon (Measured)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (Freshly ground)
Nutmeg
1 pinch (Grated)
Gruyère Cheese
12 ounces (Grated (about 5 cups))
Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup (Freshly grated)
White Bread
16 slices (Crusts removed)
Dijon Mustard
to taste (Spread)
Baked Virginia Ham
8 ounces (Sliced (not paper thin))
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2
2. In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Once melted, add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon for about 2 minutes, ensuring that the mixture is well combined and begins to bubble gently.
3
3. Gradually pour in the hot milk while whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens and achieves a smooth consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, pinch of nutmeg, 1/2 cup of grated Gruyère, and Parmesan cheese. Set the cheese sauce aside.
4
4. Arrange the slices of white bread on two baking sheets and toast them in the preheated oven. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip each slice and toast for an additional 2 minutes until golden and crisp.
5
5. On half of the toasted bread slices, spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard. Top with a slice of Virginia ham and sprinkle with half of the remaining Gruyère cheese. Cover with another piece of toasted bread.
6
6. Generously slather the tops of the assembled sandwiches with the creamy cheese sauce and sprinkle with the remaining Gruyère cheese.
7
7. Return the sandwiches to the oven and bake for about 5 minutes until heated through. Then, turn on the broiler and broil for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and lightly browned.
8
8. Remove from the oven and serve hot, garnishing as desired.
Nutrition Information
22.5g
Fat
35g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Classic French Croque Monsieur?
A Croque Monsieur is a traditional French sandwich made with toasted white bread, ham, and a rich béchamel sauce topped with Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
What are the nutritional facts for one serving?
One serving contains 400 calories, 22.5g of fat, 35g of carbohydrates, and 15g of protein.
What type of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of Gruyère cheese and 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
How do I make the cheese sauce for the Croque Monsieur?
Melt butter, stir in flour for 2 minutes, gradually whisk in hot milk until thick, then remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup Gruyère, and Parmesan.
What type of ham is best for this sandwich?
The recipe recommends using 8 ounces of baked Virginia ham, sliced but not paper thin.
How long should I toast the bread slices?
Toast the bread in the oven for 5 minutes, then flip and toast for an additional 2 minutes until golden and crisp.
Should I remove the crusts from the bread?
Yes, the recipe suggests removing the crusts from the 16 slices of white bread.
How do I assemble the sandwiches?
Spread Dijon mustard on half the toasted slices, top with ham and Gruyère, cover with another slice of bread, then slather the top with cheese sauce and more Gruyère.
How do I get the bubbly cheese topping?
After baking for 5 minutes, turn on the broiler and broil the sandwiches for 3 to 5 minutes until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned.
What spices are used in the béchamel?
The sauce is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of grated nutmeg.
Is Dijon mustard required?
Yes, Dijon mustard is spread on the toasted bread slices to add a tangy flavor.
Can I use salted butter for the sauce?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
How much milk is needed for the recipe?
You will need 2 cups of hot milk.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients total for this Classic French Croque Monsieur.
Is this dish suitable for breakfast?
Yes, it is suggested as a delightful dish for both breakfast and a satisfying lunch.
How much flour is used in the roux?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
What is the total amount of Gruyère cheese needed?
You need 12 ounces of Gruyère, which is approximately 5 cups when grated.
How long should the butter and flour mixture cook?
It should be stirred for about 2 minutes until it begins to bubble gently.
Should the milk be hot when added to the roux?
Yes, the recipe specifies using hot milk to ensure a smooth consistency.
How many slices of bread are needed?
You will need 16 slices of white bread to make 8 sandwiches.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to remove the sandwiches from the oven and serve them hot, garnishing as desired.
Does this recipe include any sugar?
No, there is no sugar listed in the ingredients or nutritional information.
What kind of pepper should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
What consistency should the cheese sauce have?
The sauce should be thick and have a smooth consistency after whisking in the milk.
Can I make this on a stovetop?
While the sauce is made on the stove, the recipe requires an oven and broiler for toasting and melting the cheese topping.
Is this considered a quick recipe?
It is tagged as an easy recipe, though it involves several steps including making a sauce and two-stage baking.
What makes the sandwich 'French'?
The use of French culinary techniques like making a béchamel sauce and ingredients like Gruyère and Dijon mustard make it authentic.