Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this decadent Croque Monsieur Bake, a French-inspired casserole that combines the rich flavors of a classic croque monsieur with the ease of a baked dish. Perfect for brunch, lunch, or even dinner, this irresistible recipe layers thick slices of white bread with savory ham, tangy Dijon mustard, and creamy melted Gruyère cheese, all smothered in a luxurious homemade béchamel sauce. A custard mixture of eggs and heavy cream is poured over the dish for an extra rich, golden crust, making every bite incredibly flavorful. With a crispy, bubbling cheese topping and just 45 minutes from prep to plate, this crowd-pleasing recipe elevates simple sandwiches into a gourmet baked masterpiece.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
Stir in the ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded Gruyère and all of the Parmesan cheese until melted. Set the béchamel sauce aside.
Spread Dijon mustard on one side of each slice of bread.
Place 4 slices of bread, mustard side up, in the prepared baking dish. Top each slice with a slice of ham and a small handful of the remaining Gruyère cheese.
Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top of the ham and cheese to create sandwiches. Press down lightly.
Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the sandwiches, making sure to cover the bread completely.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream. Pour the egg mixture over the béchamel-covered sandwiches.
Sprinkle the remaining Gruyère cheese on top.
Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Allow the bake to cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your Croque Monsieur Bake!
Calories |
3410 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 228.1 g | 292% | |
| Saturated Fat | 117.8 g | 589% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1327 mg | 442% | |
| Sodium | 6453 mg | 281% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 202.7 g | 74% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.9 g | 32% | |
| Total Sugars | 40.3 g | ||
| Protein | 147.9 g | 296% | |
| Vitamin D | 10.7 mcg | 53% | |
| Calcium | 3731 mg | 287% | |
| Iron | 17.6 mg | 98% | |
| Potassium | 1533 mg | 33% | |
*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.