Croque-Madame (French Ham, Cheese & Egg Sandwich)
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Croque-Madame is the upgrade to the famous Croque-Monsieur, France’s iconic ham and cheese sandwich. Built with layers of toasted bread, creamy béchamel, savory ham, and melted cheese, it’s topped with a fried egg that makes it even more satisfying. Here is my recipe, as good as in the French bistro!
Table of contents
A Quick Note Before We Begin
Ever since I had my first Croque-Madame, I’ll admit, it’s pretty rare that I settle for a simple Croque-Monsieur 😆.
That fried egg on top takes it to the next level: it makes the sandwich richer and more indulgent, while also adding a good dose of protein that balances out the meal. I serve it with a simple green salad on the side, either for lunch, dinner or even a cozy brunch. It’s hearty but not heavy, and with that Parisian bistro vibe I love.
How to Make a Croque-Madame Worthy of a French Bistro
Here are my favorite tricks to make your Croque-Madame taste just like one from a French brasserie:
- Choose the right bread: A good sandwich bread works perfectly, or choose brioche bread to make it extra indulgent.
- Cook the egg last: Fry the egg just before serving so the yolk stays runny, that’s the signature of a true Croque-Madame.
- Upgrade the béchamel: Stir in a little cheese to turn it into a Mornay sauce. Gruyère, Comté, or Emmental are traditional in France, but Swiss or white cheddar are great U.S. options.
- Add Dijon mustard: I like to add a thin layer of wholegrain Dijon gives the sandwich a sharp, tangy kick that balances the richness.
- Toast before baking: For that French brasserie texture, I recommend to brown the sandwiches in a skillet with a little butter before baking.
Recipe Card
Croque-Madame (French Ham, Cheese & Egg Sandwich)
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Ingredients
For the béchamel
- 1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter 20 g
- 2 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour 20 g
- 1 cup whole milk 250 ml cold
- 1 pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
For the Croque-Madame
- 4 slices sandwich bread or brioche, or sourdough
- 2 slices cooked ham
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese 100 g or Swiss/white cheddar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard wholegrain
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp butter optional, for skillet browning
- 1 tbsp fresh chives finely chopped (for decoration)
Instructions
Make the béchamel sauce
- Melt the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking until smooth.
- Cook 5–7 minutes until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Assemble the Croque-Madame
- Preheat the oven to 410°F (210°C, convection) or 425–445°F (220–230°C, regular oven).
- Spread mustard on 2 slices of bread.
- Add a little béchamel, ham, and cheese.
- Spread béchamel on the two remaining slices and close the croques (béchamel on the inside).
- (Optional) Brown the sandwiches in a skillet with butter for 2 minutes per side.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread béchamel on top, sprinkle with cheese, and bake 15–20 minutes until golden.
Serve
- In the meantime, cook the fried eggs in a hot skillet with a little butter, keeping the yolk runny.
- Remove the croques from the oven, place an egg on each, and serve right away with a green salad. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and a few chopped chives for decoration.
Notes
Nutrition
Delicious Croque-Madame Variations
These are some of my favorite ways to revisit the Croque-Madame: perfect for a vegetarian version or simply to vary the taste.
- Vegetarian: Swap ham for roasted zucchini, eggplant, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- With mushrooms: Sauté mushrooms in garlic and add them to your Croque-Madame for an even more fragrant touch.
- With pesto: Replace Dijon with Basil Pesto, amazing with béchamel and cheese.
- Classic Croque-Monsieur: Skip the egg if you want the lighter version.
- With smoked salmon: Instead of ham, add smoked salmon, which goes perfectly with the béchamel and cheese.
What to Serve with a Croque-Madame?
Since it’s a rich sandwich, I love pairing it with something fresh and light:
- The classic: a simple green salad or Grated Carrot Salad with vinaigrette.
- In winter: a cozy bowl of Leek and Potato Soup.
- In summer: fresh Tomato Carpaccio or Fig and Goat Cheese Salad.
FAQ : Croque-Madame
A Croque-Madame is a Croque-Monsieur topped with a fried egg. That single addition makes it heartier and turns it into a complete meal.y the egg right before serving.
Yes, skip the sauce and you’ll have a simpler grilled ham and cheese with egg, but the béchamel is what makes it authentically French.
Delightfully decadent and delicious! It was so easy to follow and make too!
Thank you so much, Christina!
Perfect week day meal with a simple green salad!
Thank you, Harald!