Vegetarian Croque Madame

Indulge in a gourmet twist on a French classic with this Vegetarian Croque Madame, a dish that is as luxurious as it is satisfying. Featuring layers of rich, creamy béchamel sauce infused with Dijon mustard, melty Gruyère cheese, fresh spinach, and juicy tomato slices, this vegetarian adaptation elevates the traditional recipe while keeping its signature indulgence. Whole-grain bread provides a hearty base, while golden, runny fried eggs crown each sandwich, adding irresistible richness. Perfect for brunch, lunch, or a quick dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients with an elegant presentation to delight your taste buds. Ready in just 40 minutes, this vegetarian masterpiece is sure to become a household favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Milk
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.125 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 4 Slices of whole-grain bread
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
• 2 Eggs
• 2 teaspoons Olive oil
• 2 cups Fresh spinach leaves
• 1 Tomato, sliced

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute.

Step 3

Slowly whisk in the milk, and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Set the béchamel sauce aside.

Step 4

Place the bread slices on a baking sheet. Toast the bread in the oven for 5 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy but not browned.

Step 5

Remove the bread and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of béchamel sauce on each slice.

Step 6

Sprinkle half the cheese over two slices, top with spinach, tomato slices, and then the remaining cheese. Place the other pieces of bread on top, sauce side down, creating sandwiches.

Step 7

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Carefully add the sandwiches and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 8

Flip the sandwiches and cook the other side until golden brown, then transfer them to a baking sheet.

Step 9

Top each sandwich with the rest of the béchamel sauce and remaining cheese. Bake in the oven for 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese melts and bubbles.

Step 10

While the sandwiches bake, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium. Crack the eggs into the skillet, and cook until the whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 3-4 minutes, or longer if you prefer firmer yolks.

Step 11

Remove the sandwiches from the oven and top each with a fried egg. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(815.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1764.4

Total Fat 132.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 60.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 617.6mg	0%
Sodium 2906.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 78.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.8g	0%
Total Sugars 23.5g
Protein 74.2g	0%

Vitamin D 196.1IU	0%
Calcium 1720.7mg	0%
Iron 8.4mg	0%
Potassium 1381.5mg	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: 66.2%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 17.4%