Croque Monsieur is simplicity at its best, yet I never stop craving it.
It was one of my dad’s favorite Saturday lunches and our go-to at our favorite bistro in Paris. If you love classic French flavors, try my French Onion Soup or Gougeres with Cheese and Scallions.
Recipe Overview: Croque Monsieur
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 1 person
- Cook Method: Skillet on stovetop and broiler
- Flavor & Texture: Rich, savory, and wonderfully cheesy, with salty ham, nutty Gruyère, and creamy béchamel tucked between crisp, golden bread with a soft, tender center.
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Why this Recipe? It turns a few simple ingredients into an irresistible French bistro classic that is crisp, creamy, cheesy, and deeply comforting.
I never shared this recipe with you until my last Summer Cooking Camp, when I decided to show my young chefs how to make it.
My little crew loved it and could not wait to recreate it at home for their parents.
Unlike the classic American grilled ham and cheese, a Croque Monsieur is made with crusty French country bread, creamy béchamel, ham, and plenty of melted cheese. The bread stays crisp on the outside while remaining soft inside, making every bite rich, cheesy, and full of flavor.
In this Article
What is the difference between Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame?
The difference is simple: a Croque Monsieur is a grilled ham and Gruyère sandwich topped with béchamel and more melted cheese, while a Croque Madame is the same sandwich topped with a fried or poached egg. The egg makes the Madame a little richer and more substantial.
A Note From Giangi
Key Ingredients
French white bread – Use a good-quality French country-style bread with a crisp crust and soft interior. The slices form the base of the sandwich and become beautifully golden when cooked in butter.
Butter – An essential ingredient for achieving that rich, golden exterior. Butter the outside of the bread or melt a little butter directly in the skillet before cooking the sandwich.
Gruyère cheese – Used in the sandwich with the ham, then grated over the béchamel before broiling. Gruyère melts beautifully and gives the Croque Monsieur its characteristic nutty, savory flavor.
Thinly sliced ham – Layered between the bread with the Gruyère. Thin slices work best so the sandwich remains easy to eat while giving you plenty of savory ham in every bite.
Béchamel sauce – Spread generously over the top of the toasted sandwich before adding more Gruyère and placing it under the broiler. It is what distinguishes a classic Croque Monsieur from a simple grilled ham and cheese.
For the Béchamel
Unsalted butter – Melted first to create the base of the sauce.
Flour – Stirred into the melted butter to form the roux that thickens the béchamel.
Whole milk – Gradually whisked into the butter and flour until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Nutmeg – Adds the traditional subtle warmth and depth associated with a classic French béchamel.
Salt and pepper – Used to season and balance the cream sauce.
How to Make Croque Monsieur
For all my recipes, please gather all the ingredients before you start cooking or baking, and I will guide you every step of the way.
Step 1: Prepare the béchamel. Melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in the flour until smooth. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Season with salt, pepper, and a touch of nutmeg.
Step 2: Assemble the sandwich. Butter the bread and layer the Gruyère cheese and thinly sliced ham between the two slices.
Step 3: Toast until golden. Melt a little butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook the sandwich until lightly golden on both sides.
Step 4: Add the béchamel. Transfer the sandwich to a baking sheet and generously spread the béchamel over the top.
Step 5: Finish with Gruyère. Sprinkle grated Gruyère over the béchamel, ensuring the top is well covered.
Step 6: Broil. Place under the broiler until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and beautifully golden. Watch it closely, as it can brown very quickly.
Giangi’s Pro Tips
- Be generous with both the béchamel and Gruyère, making sure they cover the top of the bread. Keep a close eye on the sandwich under the broiler because the cheese can go from beautifully golden to burned very quickly.
- Butter: do not skip it, this is what makes this Croque Monsieur the savory dish that it is.
- You either smear it on the side of the bread that will face the cooking pan, on both sides, or you can place a piece on the cooking pan and place the bread on top of it.
What to serve with Croque Monsieur
Because Croque Monsieur is rich and cheesy, I like serving it with something fresh and light to balance the flavors.
A simple green salad with a Dijon vinaigrette is always a favorite, while roasted asparagus or pan fried green beans also work beautifully.
For a more traditional French bistro-style meal, serve it with French onion soup or a side of crispy French fries.
More Cheese Recipes You Will Love
If you tried this Croque Monsier or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.
Croque Monsieur
Ingredients
- 2 slices of white French bread
- butter
- gruyere cheese
- thinly sliced ham
- bechamel cream, bechamel cream
- gruyere, grated
BECHEMEL CREAM
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- salt and pepper, salt and pepper
- nutmeg, nutmeg
Instructions
FOR THE BECHAMEL CREAM
- Melt butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and stir together until smoothly blended. Add milk gradually and whisk constantly until a blended and no lumps are formed. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper
FOR THE CROQUE MONSIEUR
- Butter the slices of bread and fill with layers gruyere cheese and ham. On a skillet over medium heat add a dot of butter (or butter the bread) and place the croque monsieur over it and brown lightly both sides.
- Warm the broiler. Place the croque monsieur on a cookie sheet, top with bechamel cream, and some more gruyere cheese. Broil until the cheese melts and gets a golden color.
Nutrition
Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
- Course: Dinners
- Cuisine: French
- Type: Affordable Gourmet, Under 45 minutes
Did you make this?
Leave a comment below and tag @giangiskitchen on Instagram
Visit my Amazon Storefront for my selection of favorite kitchen essentials. I only recommend equipment that I use and love.
Giangi Townsend
I grew up making croque monsieur, and to this day it is my go-to when I feel a bit homesick. The delicious dinner will have everyone smiling at the table.