BEST Croque Monsieur Recipe
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As a French girl, I can confidently tell you that this is the best Croque Monsieur recipe to try. This Parisian bistro classic is a French culinary staple yet extremely easy to make!
Creamy and crunchy at the same time, this Croque Monsieur sandwich filled with melted cheese and a silky béchamel sauce is one of my favorite comfort food for rainy days or lazy dinners on the sofa!
My personal touch that makes these croques-monsieur so tasty and intense is to add a little Dijon mustard!
Table of Content
Other classic French recipes include this easy French savory cake, perfect as a snack, brunch, or lunch item. Why not serve this Croque Monsieur with one of these other two classic French foods – a summery Niçoise salad and this famous French onion soup.
What is a Croque Monsieur?
A Croque Monsieur is a classic French sandwich that originated in Paris in the early 1900s. It debuted on the culinary scene in 1910 at the Bel Age, a Parisian bistro on the Boulevard des Capucins. The exact origin story of the Croque Monsieur remains a mystery, but being as delicious as it is, who cares?!
The classic croque monsieur recipe is made with simple ingredients: white bread, ham, Gruyère cheese, and béchamel sauce.
The name Croque Monsieur translates to “Mister Crunch,” referring to the crispy texture of the sandwich when toasted.
As a French girl, my lunchtime memories are filled with many a “Mister Crunch”! One of the quintessential French classics, it is as dear to us as the grilled cheese sandwich is to Americans.
List of Ingredients
For the Béchamel:
I highly recommend preparing your own béchamel sauce (have a look at my full recipe here) it’s simple to make and yields a superior flavor. However, if you’re short on time, using a pre-made white sauce is a convenient alternative.
- Milk: Béchamel sauce, a classic French white sauce, is made using milk as its base. As with most of my recipes, I love to use whole milk.
- Butter: It serves as the thickening agent for the béchamel sauce. Béchamel can also be made with plant-based butter or margarine if you prefer.
- Flour: Regular all-purpose flour is ideal for this hot sandwich.
- Nutmeg: Adds a warm, nutty flavor and is a classic inclusion in a creamy béchamel sauce. I love this flavor and would never leave it out!
For the Croque Monsieur:
Once the béchamel is ready, you are go to assemble your Croque Monsieur!
- Slices of bread: Typically, pain de mie or brioche is used. You can use your favorite white bread, though. The bread should be able to hold the filling and toast well.
- Ham: Thinly sliced ham is a key component of the croque monsieur. It provides a savory and salty flavor.
- Cheese: I love to use Gruyère cheese as a typical French choice. Emmental cheese or Comté cheese are another popular options. For a classic French croque monsieur, choose a creamy, dreamy, oozy cheese that melts quickly.
- Dijon mustard: It is optional, but I highly recommend it for those who enjoy a hint of tanginess in their sandwich.
How to make a Croque Monsieur?
- Prepare the béchamel sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously until well combined, forming a roux. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook the sauce for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens—season with sea salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Cover with a plastic wrap to prevent drying and set aside.
- Assemble the sandwich. Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C). Toast the white bread slices. Spread on one side with a thin layer of Dijon mustard (if desired) on one side. Spread 1/3 of the Bechamel sauce on each slice and place a slice of ham on top. Sprinkle half of the grated cheese over the ham. Close the croque monsieur. Add the remaining Bechamel sauce and finish with the remaining grated cheese.
- Bake the croque monsieur. Bake the sandwiches on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the Croque Monsieur cool for a few minutes before serving.
Variations
Feel free to get creative and personalize this Croque Monsieur recipe to suit your tastes! Here are some delightful ideas to inspire variations.
- Croque Madame: A classic! Add a fried egg on top to make a Croque Madame, a slightly more decadent option, perfect for brunch.
- Vegetarian: Replace the ham with tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms for a flavorful vegetarian version.
- Bread: Swap white bread for wholemeal or sourdough bread, or try brioche for a delicious twist.
- Mini Croque Monsieur: Cut each slice of bread into four for bite-sized croque monsieurs, perfect for appetizers at parties or brunches.
What to serve with a croque monsieur?
The classic French croque monsieur is traditionally served with light and simple side salad. I love to dress my salads with this Dijon mustard vinaigrette.
Another great way in winter is to serve it with a soup, like my healthy tomato basil soup. This is the perfect way to add some vitamins and make it a full meal. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to take the cheesy theme over the edge!
In summer, one of my favorite side is this tomato and cucumber salad. The lightness of the salad cuts through the richness of the grilled cheese.
FAQ: Croque Monsieur
The croque monsieur features ham and cheese as the hero ingredients. A croque madame, however, includes a fried or poached egg on top.
Yes, you can reheat a Croque Monsieur. If you have leftovers, place in an airtight container. To reheat it, preheat your oven or your air fryer to around 350°F (175°C). Place the Croque Monsieur on a baking sheet and cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Reheat it in the oven for about 10-15 minutes (5 minutes in the air fryer), or until it is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also use a sandwich press.
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Recipe Card: Croque Monsieur
BEST Croque Monsieur Recipe
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Ingredients
Bechamel sauce
- 1 1/4 cup milk (300 ml)
- 1 tbsp butter (30 g)
- 3 tbsp flour (30 g)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Nutmeg
Croque Monsieur
- 8 white bread slices
- 4 ham slices
- 2 1/2 cups of cheese (200 g) – gruyère cheese, emmental cheese, comté cheese
- 4 tbsp Dijon Mustard optional
Instructions
Prepare the Bechamel Sauce
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously until well combined, forming a roux. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook the sauce for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. Season with sea salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Cover with a plastic wrap to prevent drying and set aside.
Assemble the Croque Monsieur
- Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C).Toast your white bread slices.Spread on one side with a thin layer of Dijon mustard (if desired) on one side.Spread 1/3 of the Bechamel sauce on each slice and place a slice of ham on top.Sprinkle half of the amount of grated cheese over the ham.Close the Croque Monsieur with a slice of toasted bread. Add the remaining Bechamel sauce and finish with the remaining grated cheese.
Bake the Croque Monsieur
- Place the assembled Croque Monsieur sandwiches on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.Remove from the oven and let the Croque Monsieur cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the Croque Monsieur with a green salad.
