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Classic Croque Monsieur Recipe

Classic Croque Monsieur

5 from 3 votes
A delicious French sandwich made with ham, cheese, and a creamy béchamel sauce, perfect for lunch or dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Sandwich
Cuisine: French
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 slices bread Use fresh bread for better texture.
  • 4 slices Gruyère cheese You can substitute with Emmental or Brie for variation.
  • 4 slices ham Replace with sautéed mushrooms or grilled vegetables for a vegetarian version.
Béchamel Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons butter Melt in a saucepan.
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk Gradually whisk into the flour mixture.
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • a pinch Nutmeg (optional) Add for extra flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue to cook until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Assemble the sandwiches by placing a slice of ham and a slice of Gruyère cheese between two slices of bread.
  2. Spread the béchamel sauce on top of the sandwiches and sprinkle additional cheese if desired.
  3. Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the bread is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
  4. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For a gourmet twist, add a bit of mustard before assembling the sandwich. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days and reheat in the oven to restore crispiness.