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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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
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
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.
Step 3
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).
Step 4
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.
Step 5
Toast 4 slices of sandwich bread lightly in a toaster or under a broiler, being careful not to let them burn.
Step 6
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.
Step 7
Top each sandwich with the remaining slices of bread. Spread a little olive oil or softened butter over the tops of the sandwiches.
Step 8
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).
Step 9
Flip the sandwiches and cook the other side until golden brown and the cheese inside begins to melt (about 2-3 minutes).
Step 10
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.
Step 11
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.
Step 12
Remove from the oven and let the sandwiches rest for 1-2 minutes. Slice each Croque Monsieur in half and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (679.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1524.4 |
| Total Fat 90.9g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 43.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g | |
| Cholesterol 275.3mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3822.4mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 106.1g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.6g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 21.8g | |
| Protein 75.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 131.4IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1599.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 5.3mg | 0% |
| Potassium 824.5mg | 0% |
Source of Calories