Elegant Sheet Pan Croque Madame with Egg-in-the-Hole
Elevate your brunch game with this sophisticated yet effortless Sheet Pan Croque Madame, an open-faced French classic that combines creamy béchamel, savory ham, and oozy Gruyère cheese, all sitting resplendently atop thick slices of artisanal country bread. What makes this dish truly special is the delightful twist of a perfectly cooked egg nestled in the center of each slice, transforming it into a rich and hearty meal. Ideal for entertaining a crowd, this sheet pan version simplifies the assembly process, allowing you to serve multiple guests with minimal effort. With its enticing blend of textures and flavors, this dish is sure to impress and satisfy anyone at your table.
N/A
Servings
375
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
3 tablespoons (melted)
all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (whisked)
milk
2 cups (whole or any preferred type)
kosher salt
to taste (for seasoning)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
nutmeg
to taste (freshly grated)
thick slices country bread
8 slices (preferably artisanal)
thinly sliced ham
1/2 lb (preferably French jambon or black forest ham)
gruyère cheese
2/3 lb (coarsely grated)
chives
to taste (thinly sliced, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2
To prepare the béchamel sauce, melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the butter is bubbling, whisk in the all-purpose flour until well combined. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is bubbly and slightly thinned.
3
Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring that there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Season the béchamel with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg to taste. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
4
Place the slices of country bread on the prepared baking sheet. Using a round biscuit cutter or a sharp knife, cut a hole in the center of each slice. Keep the punched-out circles of bread for later use or toasting on the side.
5
Evenly distribute half of the béchamel sauce among the bread slices and into the holes, making sure to spread it for complete coverage. Layer the ham and shredded Gruyère cheese on top of each slice, being cautious not to cover the central hole too much.
6
Drizzle the remaining béchamel sauce over the ham and cheese layer. Carefully crack an egg into the hollow of each slice. Season each egg with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
7
Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake until the eggs are set to your liking and the béchamel is bubbling, about 15 minutes. If you desire a runnier yolk, check the eggs around the 12-minute mark.
8
Once baked, remove from the oven, garnish with thinly sliced chives, and serve the Croque Madame Egg-in-a-Hole immediately while it's warm and delectable.
Nutrition Information
26.25g
Fat
22.5g
Carbs
18.75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Elegant Sheet Pan Croque Madame with Egg-in-the-Hole?
It is a sophisticated open-faced French classic featuring creamy béchamel, savory ham, and Gruyère cheese on thick artisanal bread with an egg cooked in the center.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (230°C).
How do I prepare the baking sheet?
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
How do I make the béchamel sauce?
Melt 3 tablespoons of butter, whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour for 1-2 minutes, then gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk and simmer until thickened.
What seasonings are added to the béchamel sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg.
What type of bread is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 thick slices of artisanal country bread.
How do you create the hole in the bread?
Use a round biscuit cutter or a sharp knife to cut a hole in the center of each slice of bread.
Should I throw away the punched-out bread circles?
No, you should keep the punched-out circles of bread for later use or for toasting on the side.
How is the béchamel sauce distributed on the bread?
Half of the sauce is spread onto the bread slices and into the holes first, with the remaining half drizzled over the ham and cheese layer.
What kind of ham is best for this Croque Madame?
Preferably French jambon or black forest ham, sliced thinly.
What type of cheese is used in this dish?
The recipe uses 2/3 lb of coarsely grated Gruyère cheese.
Where do the eggs go in this recipe?
One egg is carefully cracked into the hollow center of each bread slice.
How do you season the eggs before baking?
Season each egg with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the béchamel is bubbling.
How can I get a runnier egg yolk?
If you prefer a runnier yolk, start checking the eggs at the 12-minute mark.
What is the recommended garnish?
Garnish the finished dish with thinly sliced chives.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 375 calories per serving.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
This recipe contains 26.25g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
There is 18.75g of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 22.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients required.
Is this recipe suitable for entertaining?
Yes, the sheet pan method simplifies assembly and allows you to serve multiple guests with minimal effort.
What type of milk can I use for the sauce?
You can use whole milk or any preferred milk type.
How much butter is needed for the sauce?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
How much flour is needed for the roux?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
What is the total weight of ham used?
The recipe uses 1/2 lb of thinly sliced ham.
What categories does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is tagged for brunch, breakfast, and French cuisine.
When should the Croque Madame be served?
It should be served immediately while it is warm and delectable.
Is this a savory or sweet dish?
This is a savory dish.
Does this recipe include nutritional fiber or sugar information?
The provided data shows fiber and sugar values are null for this recipe.