Easy Croque Monsieur Recipe
The Croque Monsieur is a true classic of French cuisine. It was already being served in Parisian cafés at the beginning of the 20th century, and honestly, it hasn’t aged a bit! For me, it’s the ultimate comfort meal: quick enough for a weeknight dinner or perfect for a cozy TV night on the couch. And if you’re also a fan of Croque Monsieur, let me share my simple version… with one little secret ingredient that makes all the difference!
Table of contents
A Quick Note Before We Begin
When I don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen, when it’s cold outside and I just want a cozy meal, the Croque Monsieur (or sometimes its sister recipe, the Croque Madame!) is definitely one of my favorites. I serve it bistro-style, with a small green salad on the side—it lightens up the richness and balances everything out.
And if there’s one thing that really changes everything, beyond the homemade Béchamel sauce, it’s adding Dijon mustard. I spread a thin layer directly on the bread: it gives the sandwich a little kick and perfectly enhances the flavor of the Croque Monsieur. If you try it, let me know in the comments what you thought!
My Tips for a Perfect Croque Monsieur
A Croque Monsieur is already delicious, but the little details can take it to the next level. Here are my best tips to make it as god as in French a bistro!
- Toast your bread before assembling: this prevents it from getting soggy from the béchamel. No toaster? Quickly brown the bread in a little butter in a skillet before baking for an extra-crispy Croque Monsieur.
- Make a thick béchamel: it should spread like a thick cream, otherwise the bread softens too quickly.
- Add a little cheese to your béchamel: this creates a Mornay sauce, which makes your Croque Monsieur even creamier and gooier.
- Switch up the cheeses: Gruyère, Emmental, Comté, or even a mix. Freshly grated is always best!
- Watch the oven carefully: take it out as soon as the top turns golden.
Recipe card
Easy Croque Monsieur Recipe
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Ingredients
Bechamel sauce
- 2 cups milk (500 ml)
- 3 tbsp butter (40 g)
- 1/3 cup flour (40 g)
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
Croque Monsieur
- 8 white bread slices
- 4 ham slices
- 2 1/2 cups of grated cheese (200 g) – gruyère cheese, emmental cheese, comté cheese
- 4 tbsp Dijon Mustard optional
Instructions
Prepare the béchamel sauce*
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute to obtain a smooth roux. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Let cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming and set aside.
Assemble the croque-monsieur
- Preheat the oven to 410°F (210°C, convection) or 425–445°F (220–230°C, regular oven).
- Lightly toast the slices of bread in a toaster. Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on one side of the bread.
- Spread a little béchamel, add a slice of ham, and sprinkle with cheese.
- Close with another slice of toasted bread. Spread the top with the remaining béchamel and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
Bake
- Place the croques on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the top is nicely golden and gratiné.
- Remove from the oven and enjoy immediately, served with a green salad.
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Notes
Nutrition
Variations on the Classic Croque Monsieur
You can easily customize your Croque Monsieur depending on your taste and what you have in the fridge. Here are some simple ideas:
- Croque-Madame: add a fried egg on top, keep the egg yolk runny, it’s just insanely good!
- Vegetarian: replace the ham with roasted tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or garlic-sautéed mushrooms.
- Change up the bread: try whole wheat, sourdough, or even brioche for a softer, richer version.
- Mini Croques: cut each sandwich into four smaller pieces for bite-size appetizers, perfect for brunch or cocktail parties.
What to Serve with Croque Monsieur
The Croque Monsieur almost stands on its own, but with the right side it becomes a complete meal. Here are my favorites:
- Classic: a green salad with Dijon vinaigrette.
- In winter: a warm soup, like Tomato and Basil Soup or in summer my Cold cucumber Soup.
- In summer: a fresh salad, I’ve gathered 20 salad ideas here that pair beautifully!
FAQ : Croque-Monsieur
The name comes from the French verb croquer (“to crunch”) for the crispy bread, and monsieur (“mister”), a playful touch used in Parisian cafés of the time.
Yes, but in that case you skip the béchamel topping. Simply butter the outside of the bread and grill for 2–3 minutes per side.
The only real difference is the egg! A Croque Monsieur is the classic ham-and-cheese with béchamel, while a Croque Madame is the same sandwich topped with a fried (or poached) egg. That one little addition makes it extra hearty and perfect for brunch.
More French Bistro Recipes
- Classic Quiche Lorraine
- Traditional Basque chicken
- Salmon Rillettes
- French Onion Soup
- Beef Bourguignon
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I really like the extra Dijon flavor! Was amazing 🤩