If you love delicate flavors and want to give a touch of originality to a French classic, my revisited Croque Monsieur is the perfect choice. This recipe combines the crunchiness of toasted bread with the creaminess of béchamel sauce and the delicate flavor of cooked ham and cheese. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, this sandwich will win you over at the first bite.
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 4 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- 8 slices sandwich bread
- 1 1/4 cups béchamel sauce (approximately)
- 7 oz cheese (sliced, meltable)
- 3 1/2 oz cheese (grated, meltable)
- 5 1/3 oz cooked ham
Tools
- Baking Pan
Steps
So easy that it will become one of your favorite lunch/dinner lifesaver recipes!
Prepare the béchamel sauce following my recipe, or use a ready-made one.
Next, in a baking pan lined with parchment paper, place 4 slices of sandwich bread. On each, spread two generous tablespoons of béchamel sauce and cover the entire surface.
Add the sliced meltable cheese, and cooked ham.
Cover with another slice of sandwich bread. Garnish with béchamel sauce and grated meltable cheese.
Bake in a preheated oven at 392°F for 12/15 minutes until the bread is golden and crunchy, and the cheese is well melted and slightly gratinated.
You can accompany the Croque Monsieur with a fresh green salad or oven-baked potatoes.
Enjoy your meal!
The Croque Monsieur is a classic of French cuisine, born in the early 20th century. The first documented mention of the Croque Monsieur dates back to 1910, in a Parisian café. Legend has it that the sandwich was invented by accident when some workers left their ham and cheese sandwiches near a hot radiator, later finding that the cheese had melted and the bread had become crispy.
The name “Croque Monsieur” comes from the French word “croquer,” meaning “to crunch,” and “monsieur,” meaning “mister,” suggesting a refined and crunchy sandwich suitable for a gentleman. Over the years, the Croque Monsieur has become a symbol of French cuisine, loved for its simplicity and delicious taste.
Tips and Storage
Tips
For an even more Italian touch, you can add some fresh basil leaves inside the sandwich before closing it. If you prefer a more intense flavor, you can use aged Italian cheeses like pecorino or parmesan instead of mozzarella. You can also experiment with different types of Italian bread, such as whole grain or multigrain bread, for an even richer flavor variation!
Storage
The Croque Monsieur can be stored in the fridge for up to two days. Cover them with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container.
To reheat them, put them in the oven at 356°F for about 10 minutes or until they are completely hot and the cheese is melted again.
