Food & Cooking Recipes Lunch Recipes Sandwich Recipes Classic Croque Monsieur Be the first to rate & review! This decadent ham and cheese sandwich will make you feel like you're dining in a French bistro. By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Published on January 29, 2024 Rate PRINT Share Servings: 4 The croque monsieur is a decadent French sandwich with humble roots. Croque means "crunch" and monsieur means "sir," and the sandwich lives up to its name. To make this sandwich, layers of thinly sliced ham and Gruyère cheese meld together with a rich Mornay sauce. The sandwich is topped with more sauce and cheese before toasting, usually in the oven. The result is a rich sandwich with a cheesy, creamy center and a crisp and crunchy exterior. You've probably seen this sandwich on the menu at French cafés and bistros. It's been satisfying French diners for over a hundred years, so cooks have had plenty of time to perfect it. Our recipe uses all the classic ingredients and the result is an indulgent sandwich you'll love. 12 Fabulous French Appetizer Recipes That Bring the Bistro Home Kelsey Hansen Ingredients for Croque Monsieur This simple sandwich doesn't require many ingredients or any special equipment, but be sure to use good-quality ingredients. Bread: Croque Monsieur is typically made with a firm but soft bread. A lot of meat, cheese, and sauce are piled onto the bread, so you want something sturdy enough to hold everything without falling apart. Look for a crusty boule, like sourdough or pain de campagne, or thick slices of brioche or pain de mie. Ham: This sandwich is the perfect thing to make if you have leftover ham from a bone-in roast–you can slice off as many thin pieces as you need. You can also buy sliced bistro-style ham from the deli counter at the grocery store. Cheese: Gruyère is traditional for the croque monsieur and it's our pick, but you can use a cheese that melts well, such as Swiss or Emmental. They are both slightly milder and less pungent than Gruyère. Mornay sauce: Some of the cheese is stirred into a classic béchamel sauce. The sauce is used inside the sandwich and on top. Mornay Sauce What is the difference between béchamel sauce and Mornay sauce? Mornay is a type of béchamel sauce. The base is the same, but Mornay has cheese melted into the sauce. What's the Difference Between a Croque Monsieur and a Croque Madame? As their names suggest, the croque monsieur and croque madame sandwiches are similar. The only difference between the two is that the croque madame is topped with an egg. Either sandwich can be enjoyed at any time of the day, but adding an egg makes it a more substantial meal that is particularly suited for breakfast. Ingredients 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for baking sheet ¼ cup all-purpose flour 2 cups milk 1 cup Gruyere or Swiss cheese, grated, plus 8 ounces, thinly sliced Coarse salt Freshly ground white pepper Freshly ground nutmeg 8 slices brioche, cut ½-inch thick, toasted 6 ounces baked ham, thinly sliced Directions Kelsey Hansen Preheat oven; prep baking sheet; melt butter and whisk in flour: Preheat oven to 450°F. Butter a baking sheet; set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add flour, and cook until foaming, whisking constantly, for 3 minutes. Kelsey Hansen Heat milk and add to butter-flour mixture: In another medium saucepan, heat milk over medium heat. Slowly add milk to butter-flour mixture, whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook 2 minutes more. Kelsey Hansen Add cheese and seasonings: Stir in 1/2 cup grated cheese, and season with salt, white pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne. Cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Kelsey Hansen Set sauce aside: Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, and set aside to cool. Kelsey Hansen Spread sauce on toast: Place 4 pieces of toast on a work surface and spread each piece with a 1/4 cup of sauce. Kelsey Hansen Add cheese and ham to each sandwich: Cover sauce with a slice of cheese, a slice of ham, and another slice of cheese. Kelsey Hansen Finish assembling sandwiches: Top each sandwich with remaining 4 slices of toast. Spread each sandwich with 1/4 cup sauce and sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/2 cup grated cheese. Kelsey Hansen Bake: Place sandwiches on prepared baking sheet, and bake until heated through, about 5 minutes. Kelsey Hansen Broil and serve: Preheat broiler; transfer baking sheet to broiler and broil until golden brown and bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately. Kelsey Hansen Make Ahead A croque monsieur sandwich is not a recipe to make ahead. It is best served as soon as it's made What You Can Make Ahead The Mornay sauce can be ahead of time. Let it cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Frequently Asked Questions Is Croque Monsieur the same as Monte Cristo? A Croque Monsieur is not the same as a Monte Cristo sandwich, but the two are similar. The Monte Cristo is a newer creation that first showed up on a menu in California, and is a take on the croque monsieur. A Monte Cristo usually has sliced turkey in addition to the ham and cheese. How are you supposed to eat a croque monsieur? A croque monsieur is a sandwich, but it isn't usually eaten like a sandwich. You wouldn't pick it up and take a bite. Eating a Croque Monsieur requires a knife and fork so you can slice through the thick bread, meat, and cheese. What can I use instead of Gruyère in a croque monsieur? Instead of Gruyère, the best options are Swiss cheese or Emmental. You can also use another cheese that melts nicely. Sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda will complement the flavor of the ham without overpowering it. More Croque Monsieur Recipes to Try: Buvette's Croque Monsieur Quick Croque Monsieur Next-Level Croque Monsieur Petit Croque Monsieur Rustic Croque Monsieur Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living Television, February Winter 2007, The Martha Stewart Show, February Winter 2007, The Martha Stewart Show, Episode 2095 Rate It PRINT Updated by Riley Wofford Riley Wofford Riley is an associate food editor for Martha Stewart Living.