Croque Monsieur

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 4 Servings

Acroque monsieur is a delicious toasted sandwich made with humble ingredients commonly found in a French pantry. It’s traditionally made with pain de mie (white sandwich bread), ham, cheese, and béchamel. The sandwich is layered with the ingredients then baked in the oven until the edges are crisp, the cheese is melty, and the top is golden-brown in spots. It’s quick and easy to make and a great dish for any time of day.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole or 2% milk
2 teaspoons regular or whole-grain Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 (1/2-inch thick) slices pan de mie, country-style sourdough bread, or hearty white sandwich bread
6 to 8 ounces sliced unsmoked ham (about 8 slices)
6 ounces Gruyère cheese

Instructions

Arrange a rack in the upper third of the oven and heat the oven to 425ºF.
Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and whisk until combined, about 1 minute. While whisking constantly, slowly pour in 3/4 cup whole or 2% milk. Bring to a simmer (it will start to thicken up), whisking constantly.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and whisk to combine.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Grate 6 ounces Gruyère cheese on the large holes of a box grater(about 2 cups). Place 4 (1/2-inch) thick slices bread on the baking sheet. Spread 2 tablespoons béchamel on each slice of bread. Divide 6 to 8 ounces sliced ham over the béchamel, bending and folding then as needed to fit. Sprinkle half the cheese on top of the ham.
Close the sandwiches with the remaining 4 bread slices. Spread 2 tablespoons béchamel evenly onto each slice of bread. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake until the edges of the bread are crispy and the tops are starting to brown, about 15 minutes. Heat the oven to broil. Broil until deep golden brown in spots, about 3 minutes more. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.