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Savory French Croque Monsieur sandwich with ham, cheese, and béchamel sauce.

Croque Monsieur

A cozy, cheesy ham and cheese sandwich upgraded with a creamy bechamel sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course, Sandwich
Cuisine: French
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sandwich
  • 4 slices sturdy sandwich bread sourdough or pain de mie if available
  • 4 ounces thin sliced deli ham or leftover baked ham
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese can substitute with Swiss or sharp white cheddar
  • 1 tablespoon butter for crisping the bread
For the Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon butter for the sauce
  • 1 tablespoon flour for thickening the sauce
  • 3/4 cup whole milk can use 2 percent
  • 1 pinch salt to taste
  • 1 pinch black pepper to taste
  • 1 pinch nutmeg optional, adds cozy flavor
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard optional, for added flavor

Method
 

Making the Sauce
  1. In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour and cook for about 1 minute.
  3. Slowly whisk in 3/4 cup of milk, continuing to whisk until it thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if desired.
Building the Sandwiches
  1. Lay out 4 slices of bread and spread mustard on two of them if you like.
  2. Add ham and a generous handful of cheese, then top with the other bread slices.
Cooking the Sandwiches
  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Butter the outside of the sandwiches.
  2. Toast the sandwiches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula.
Broiling the Sandwiches
  1. Place the toasted sandwiches on a baking sheet and spoon the creamy sauce over the top.
  2. Sprinkle more cheese on top and broil for 1 to 3 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.
Serving
  1. Let sit for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Perfect for pairing with a simple soup for a light meal. Store leftovers in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.