The Classic French Bistro Sandwich Croque Monsieur
Elevate your sandwich game with the classic French bistro experience of a Croque Monsieur. This indulgent recipe combines perfectly toasted bread, savory ham, and gooey Gruyère cheese, all crowned with a luxurious layer of golden, bubbling béchamel sauce. A masterpiece of comfort food, this iconic French dish is quick to make yet deliciously sophisticated, featuring a creamy roux-based sauce enhanced with Dijon mustard and a hint of nutmeg. Crafted with simple ingredients but packed with refined flavor, it's perfect for brunch, lunch, or an elegant dinner. Serve warm, paired with a crisp green salad or a glass of wine, for a true café-style delight. Keywords: Croque Monsieur recipe, French bistro sandwich, classic French comfort food, melted Gruyère cheese, béchamel sauce sandwich.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 4 sandwich bread slices
- 4 ham slices
- 2 teaspoons olive oil or more butter for toasting
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once melted, whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to form a roux. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and bubbly.
Gradually pour in 1 cup of whole milk while whisking to prevent lumps. Continue cooking over medium heat, whisking frequently, until the béchamel sauce thickens (about 3-4 minutes).
Stir in 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Remove from heat and mix in 1/4 cup of shredded Gruyère cheese until melted and smooth.
Toast 4 slices of sandwich bread lightly in a toaster or under a broiler, being careful not to let them burn.
Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on two slices of bread. Add two slices of ham to each of the prepared slices, then sprinkle a layer (about 1/4 cup) of shredded Gruyère cheese over the ham.
Top each sandwich with the remaining slices of bread. Spread a little olive oil or softened butter over the tops of the sandwiches.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil or butter. Place the sandwiches into the skillet, pressing them lightly with a spatula, and cook until the bottom is golden brown (about 2-3 minutes).
Flip the sandwiches and cook the other side until golden brown and the cheese inside begins to melt (about 2-3 minutes).
Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Spread a generous layer of béchamel sauce over the top of each sandwich and sprinkle the remaining shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over both sandwiches.
Bake the sandwiches in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbling. For a golden brown finish, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes, if desired.
Remove from the oven and let the sandwiches rest for 1-2 minutes. Slice each Croque Monsieur in half and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1524 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 90.9 g | 117% | |
| Saturated Fat | 43.5 g | 217% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 275 mg | 92% | |
| Sodium | 3822 mg | 166% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 106.1 g | 39% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.6 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.8 g | ||
| Protein | 75.8 g | 152% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.3 mcg | 16% | |
| Calcium | 1599 mg | 123% | |
| Iron | 5.3 mg | 29% | |
| Potassium | 824 mg | 18% | |
*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.
