Ingredients
Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.
Serves 4
Sauce
Sandwich
Equipment
Kitchen scales; measuring jug and spoons; knife; cutting board; mixing bowls; oven; baking tray; oven gloves; saucepan with lid; sieve; food thermometer; whisk or electric mixer; heatproof spoon; spatula.
Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed recipe, not every substitution.
Steps
Sauce · About 3 min
- Melt butter from 30 g butter, 30 g plain flour, 300 ml milk, ¼ tsp nutmeg, stir in flour 1 minute, then whisk in milk gradually. Simmer 3 minutes; add nutmeg.
Assemble · About 5 min
- Heat oven to 200°C / 400°F. Spread mustard on bread from 8 bread slices, 200 g cooked ham, 160 g Gruyere, grated, 20 g Dijon mustard; fill with ham and half the cheese. Spread sauce and remaining cheese over tops.
Check: The food must be hot through at 200°C / 400°F.
Bake · About 15 min
- Bake 12–15 minutes until golden and hot through, reaching 74°C / 165°F.
Check: Look for this result: golden and hot through, reaching 74°C / 165°F.
Tips
- Keep sauce thick enough to stay on top of the bread.
- Judge Croque Monsieur by the texture and doneness signs in its steps. Your pan and heat affect how long Croque Monsieur takes to cook.
Substitutions
- Use cooked turkey instead of ham.
Storage
- Get perishable Croque Monsieur into the fridge within two hours, or within one hour above 32°C / 90°F. Eat Croque Monsieur within two days, keeping it covered at 4°C / 40°F or colder.
- Bring cooked Croque Monsieur to 74°C / 165°F, stirring or turning it for even heating. When Croque Monsieur is part of the meal, serve cold salads, dips and chilled desserts straight from safe refrigeration.
Make ahead
- Prepare the measured ingredients for Croque Monsieur one day ahead. For Croque Monsieur, refrigerate chopped vegetables apart from the other perishable ingredients. Follow the cooking stages for Croque Monsieur on the day of serving.
FAQ
What matters most when making Croque Monsieur?
Keep sauce thick enough to stay on top of the bread.
What can I substitute in Croque Monsieur?
Use cooked turkey instead of ham.
Can I prepare Croque Monsieur ahead?
Prepare the measured ingredients for Croque Monsieur one day ahead. For Croque Monsieur, refrigerate chopped vegetables apart from the other perishable ingredients. Follow the cooking stages for Croque Monsieur on the day of serving.
Food safety references
FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating
