A good Croque monsieur recipe is, in my opinion, the French king of toasted sandwiches. Crispy bread, creamy béchamel sauce, melted cheese and good ham… that’s comfort food at its very best, isn’t it?
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Why this Recipe Works
A warm, gooey toasted sandwich with a crispy exterior and a soft, creamy interior. So delicious! Once you’ve tried this croque monsieur recipe, you really won’t want anything else.
Croque Monsieur Recipe Ingredients
At first glance, the French Croque Monsieur looks like just a fancy toasted sandwich, but there is one important difference: the béchamel sauce. That is the creamy, thick sauce you make from butter, flour and milk, and it is what makes this sandwich so special. Making béchamel sauce is not difficult at all, but it does elevate this classic toast.
For the sauce I use butter, flour and milk, which I season with a little mustard and parsley. Season it well with salt and pepper and you get a sauce that brings everything together. The base is bread (white or light brown), good ham (such as cooked ham or (turkey) ham) and grated gruyère. You really don’t need anything more for this classic sandwich!
Classic Croque Monsieur
A true classic Croque Monsieur is built in layers: Bread → béchamel sauce → ham → cheese → bread
And then another layer of sauce and grated cheese on top. You then put it in the oven until the cheese is melted and golden brown. It’s so incredibly tasty and addictive!
French Toastie
In France, a Croque Monsieur is often eaten as lunch in a café. Order a Croque Madame? Then you get a fried egg on top. Also very tasty, by the way, but today I’m sharing the classic without egg. This French toasted sandwich is perfect for a hearty lunch or an easy evening meal. Serve it with a simple salad or a bowl of soup and you’re all set.
Are you a fan of French recipes? Then you really have to try this Croque Monsieur! It’s such a typical example of how simple and flavorful French cuisine can be.
Just like other classics such as madeleines, quiche Lorraine or ratatouille, all dishes from French cuisine with a high comfort food factor. Perfect for bringing that French bistro feeling to your own table!
FAQ Croque Monsieur
What’s the difference between a croque monsieur and a croque madame?
The base of this is the same, but with a croque madame you also get a fried egg on top.
Can I make this in an airfryer?
Of course! Then bake them for about 7–10 minutes at 180 degrees.
Can I replace the ham?
You can replace the ham with chicken breast, but you can of course also leave it out.
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Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter (salted)
- 2 tbsp flour
- 200 ml milk (+ extra if needed)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 small tbsp parsley (finely chopped fresh or dried)
- 4 slice bread
- 100 gram Gruyère (grated + extra to taste)
- 4 slice ham
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
INSTRUCTIONS (how to make this recipe):
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius / 392 Fahrenheit with top and bottom heat.
- We start by making the béchamel sauce. Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
- Once the butter has melted, add the flour and cook it briefly. Then add the milk and whisk it well with a whisk. Cook it down until you have a nice thick, creamy sauce (the consistency of thick custard).
- Then add the mustard, parsley, pepper, and salt to taste and set it aside.
- Now we’re going to assemble the croque monsieur. Place two slices of bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread some of the béchamel sauce over the two slices of bread.
- Place the ham on top, then half of the grated cheese, another slice of bread, and finish it with the remaining béchamel sauce and grated cheese.
- Put the croque monsieur in the oven for about 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Enjoy your meal!
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