Croque Monsieur

Indulge in the decadent flavors of a classic French Croque Monsieur, the ultimate comfort food that elevates the humble ham and cheese sandwich into a culinary masterpiece. Featuring layers of thinly sliced ham and creamy Gruyère cheese nestled between slices of golden, butter-toasted bread, this recipe is taken to the next level with a luscious homemade béchamel sauce infused with hints of nutmeg. Finished with a bubbling, golden cheese crust from a quick bake in the oven, this dish is perfect for brunch, an elegant lunch, or a cozy dinner. With simple ingredients like Dijon mustard and freshly grated Gruyère combined in an irresistible way, Croque Monsieur blends indulgent French flavors with a crisp, cheesy bite that's impossible to resist. Perfect for gourmet food enthusiasts or anyone craving a rich and satisfying meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.125 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
• 8 slices white sandwich bread
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 8 slices ham, thinly sliced

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes, until a smooth paste forms.

Step 3

Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue to whisk for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 4

Remove the saucepan from the heat and season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in half of the grated Gruyère cheese until melted and smooth.

Step 5

Lay out the bread slices on a flat surface. Spread each slice evenly with Dijon mustard.

Step 6

Distribute the ham slices evenly over 4 of the bread slices, then place the remaining bread slices on top to form sandwiches.

Step 7

In a large skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sandwiches to the skillet in batches, cooking until golden brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 8

Transfer the sandwiches to a baking sheet, and top each with the béchamel sauce, spreading it evenly over the top.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining grated Gruyère cheese over the béchamel.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can broil for an additional minute if you like a more golden, crispy top.

Step 11

Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, then serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(908.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2145.2

Total Fat 123.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 381.0mg	0%
Sodium 6915.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 148.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.6g	0%
Total Sugars 32.2g
Protein 103.4g	0%

Vitamin D 114.1IU	0%
Calcium 1705.2mg	0%
Iron 11.5mg	0%
Potassium 1189.3mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.4%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 28.1%