A Lighter Croque Monsieur
Savor all the indulgent flavors of the classic French croque monsieur—reimagined with a healthier twist! This recipe for a Lighter Croque Monsieur pairs whole-grain sandwich bread with low-fat ham, creamy reduced-fat cheese, and a touch of Dijon mustard for a balanced, guilt-free take on the beloved bistro staple. A velvety, lightened béchamel sauce infused with a hint of nutmeg tops off each sandwich, which is toasted to golden perfection and then baked until irresistibly melty. Ready in just 25 minutes, this lighter version of the croque monsieur is perfect for a quick yet sophisticated lunch or dinner. Pair it with a crisp green salad for a satisfying, wholesome meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 slices whole-grain sandwich bread
- 4 slices low-fat ham
- 3 tablespoons grated Gruyère cheese
- 2 tablespoons reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup low-fat milk
- 0.125 teaspoon nutmeg
- 0.125 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in a pinch of nutmeg and black pepper. Set aside.
Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on two slices of bread and a dab of Dijon mustard on the other two slices. Place two slices of ham on top of the cream cheese-covered bread, followed by 1 tablespoon of grated Gruyère per slice.
Top each sandwich with the Dijon mustard-covered bread slices to close them. Press gently to secure the layers.
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Toast the sandwiches for 2 minutes on each side until golden and slightly crisp. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
Spread the béchamel sauce (prepared earlier) evenly over the tops of the sandwiches. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of Gruyère cheese across the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden on top.
Remove from the oven, let cool for 1-2 minutes, and serve hot with a fresh green side salad for a balanced, lighter meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
320 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.2 g | 16% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.6 g | 28% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 51 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 990 mg | 43% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.8 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.3 g | ||
| Protein | 22.1 g | 44% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 239 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 320 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
