Croque Monsieur Recipe

Name: Croque Monsieur
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: ⅓ cup unsalted butter, plus; 1 teaspoon unsalted butter; ½ cup pastry flour, plus; 1 tablespoon pastry flour; 4 cups milk; 1 cup gruyere or 1 cup swiss cheese, grated, plus; 8 ounces gruyere or 8 ounces swiss cheese, thinly sliced; coarse salt, to taste; fresh ground white pepper, to taste; freshly ground nutmeg, to taste; cayenne pepper, to taste; 8 slices white bread, cut 1/2 inch thick; 6 ounces french ham, thinly sliced; butter, for pan

Servings: persons

⅓ cup unsalted butter, plus
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
½ cup pastry flour, plus
1 tablespoon pastry flour
4 cups milk
1 cup gruyere or 1 cup swiss cheese, grated, plus
8 ounces gruyere or 8 ounces swiss cheese, thinly sliced
coarse salt, to taste
fresh ground white pepper, to taste
freshly ground nutmeg, to taste
cayenne pepper, to taste
8 slices white bread, cut 1/2 inch thick
6 ounces french ham, thinly sliced
butter, for pan

1
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat.
2
Add the flour, and cook until foaming, stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
3
Continue to cook, stirring, until the cooking diminishes the flour taste, about 3 minutes.
4
In a medium saucepan, warm milk.
5
Slowly add warm milk to butter-flour mixture, stirring so that no lumps form.
6
Bring mixture to a boil.
7
Reduce heat to low, and cook 2 minutes more.
8
Stir in half of grated cheese, and season to taste with salt, white pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne.
9
Cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
10
Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, and set aside to cool.
11
Toast the bread on both sides in a hot oven until golden brown.
12
Arrange 4 pieces of toast on work surface, and spread with a small amount of sauce.
13
Cover with a slice of cheese, slice of ham, and another slice of cheese.
14
Top each sandwich with another piece of toast.
15
Spread with additional bechamel sauce, and sprinkle each sandwich with remaining 1/2 cup grated cheese.
16
Place sandwiches in an ovenproof pan brushed with butter, and bake in 450F oven until heated through, about 4 minutes.
17
Transfer to broiler, and broil until golden brown and bubbly.

773

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: ⅓ cup unsalted butter, plus, 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, ½ cup pastry flour, plus, 1 tablespoon pastry flour, and more.

Yes, Croque Monsieur falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Croque Monsieur

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions