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Home » Recipes » Breakfast & Brunch Recipes

Published: May 3, 2025 by Must Love Garlic · Leave a Comment

Classic French Croque Madame Sandwich with Parmesan Béchamel

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This classic French Croque Madame sandwich is crispy, cheesy, and topped with a creamy Parmesan béchamel and a sunny-side-up egg. It’s everything you want in a cozy French-style brunch, buttery toast, savory layers of ham and Gruyère, and rich, melty goodness in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Croque Madame Sandwich:

  • Perfect for brunch (or anytime) – Whether it’s a slow weekend morning or breakfast-for-dinner kind of night, this one’s always a hit.
  • Rich, savory, and comforting – Every bite is packed with crispy, cozy, cheesy goodness, all topped with a golden fried egg.
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classic croque madame recipe

Croque Madame Ingredients:

  • Bread – Choose thick slices of sourdough, French, or country-style bread.
  • Ham – Honey ham is traditional, but feel free to use smoked or black forest ham for a different flavor.
  • Gruyère – The nutty, melty cheese that makes this sandwich shine. Swiss or sharp cheddar are good substitutes.
  • Dijon Mustard – A thin spread adds a sharp, flavorful kick.
  • Butter – Used for frying the sandwich and in the béchamel sauce. Salted or unsalted works, just adjust salt as needed.
  • Garlic – Fresh garlic adds savory depth to the béchamel sauce.
  • Flour – All-purpose flour thickens the béchamel.
  • Cream or Milk – Either works for a creamy sauce. Half and half is a great middle ground.
  • Parmesan – Freshly grated Parmesan adds richness to the béchamel.
  • Nutmeg – A pinch of nutmeg gives the sauce warmth and depth.
  • Egg – Fried sunny-side-up for the perfect finishing touch.

Dietary Substitutions & Allergy-Friendly Swaps:

  • To make gluten-free: Use a sturdy gluten-free bread (look for one with a hearty texture to hold up to the béchamel), and substitute the flour in the béchamel with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I love Bob's Red Mill's Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, and always keep a bag on hand.
  • To make dairy-free: Swap butter for a dairy-free margarine. Use dairy-free milk (like almond, oat, or coconut) in the béchamel and dairy-free cheese (like Violife or Daiya) in place of Gruyère and Parmesan.
  • For lower-fat: Use low-fat milk for a lighter béchamel sauce. Opt for lean turkey or chicken breast in place of ham to reduce fat content.
  • To make egg-free: Skip the egg entirely or use a vegan egg substitute if you want that similar texture on top.
how to make bechamel for bistro sandwich

How to Make a Croque Madame Sandwich:

  • Make the Béchamel:
    • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 1 ½ teaspoon minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in 2 teaspoon flour, then slowly whisk in ½ cup cream (or milk). Continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan and a pinch of nutmeg. Set aside.
how to make croque madame sandwich
  • Pan Fry the Sandwich:
    • Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Place a slice of bread in the skillet and layer with half of the grated Gruyère, 4 slices honey ham, and the remaining Gruyère. Top with the second slice of bread. Grill each side for 3-4 minutes, until golden and crispy.
  • Broil the Sandwich:
    • Preheat your broiler. Place the grilled sandwich on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then top with béchamel sauce. Broil for 3-4 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and golden.
how to make french bistro sandwich with fried egg
  • Cook the Egg:
    • In a separate skillet, melt ½ tablespoon butter over medium heat. Crack 1 large egg into the skillet and cook until the white is set and the yolk is runny, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Assemble and Serve:
    • Once the sandwich is done broiling, place the egg on top. Garnish with fresh chives and a sprinkle of pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy!
croque madame french brunch sandwich

Tips for Making the Perfect Croque Madame Sandwich:

  • Use Thick Bread: Thick, hearty bread like sourdough or country-style holds up better to the béchamel and keeps the sandwich from getting soggy.
  • Don’t Skip the Broiling Step: The broiler adds a bubbly, golden finish to the béchamel sauce and gives the sandwich nice crispy edges.
  • A Perfect Egg: For a runny yolk, cook the egg on medium-low heat and let it set for just a few minutes, but make sure the whites are fully set. If you like a firmer yolk, cook it a bit longer.

Make Ahead & Storage:

  • Make Ahead: The béchamel sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Reheat gently before using.
  • Storage: This croque madame is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 1 day. Reheat in a skillet over low heat (with the béchamel sauce separately if possible), then broil for a few minutes.
  • Freezing: Assemble the sandwich (without the egg) and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight, then grill, broil, and fry the egg fresh.
ham and cheese sandwich with fried egg

Croque Madame Sandwich FAQ's:

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prepare the béchamel sauce up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge. Just reheat it when you're ready to assemble the sandwich. The sandwich itself is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored for 1 day.

What’s the difference between a Croque Madame and a Croque Monsieur?

The only difference is the egg! A Croque Madame has a fried egg on top, while a Croque Monsieur is simply the sandwich with béchamel and cheese.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Gruyère is traditional, but you can swap it for Swiss cheese or white cheddar for a different, but still delicious flavor.

How do I make this sandwich gluten-free?

Use a sturdy gluten-free bread and substitute the flour in the béchamel sauce with a gluten-free flour blend. A 1:1 blend like Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Flour works well.

fried ham and cheese bistro sandwich

More Cozy Brunch Recipes You Will Love:

  • Cheesy Mushroom Toast with Garlic & Thyme
  • Bacon, Bleu Cheese, and Potato Tart with Spicy Honey Drizzle
  • Sweet & Savory Honey Whipped Goat Cheese on Golden Butter-Fried Toast
  • Easy Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole (Cracker Barrel Style)

Tried This Croque Madame Sandwich recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! ⭐ Please leave a star rating and review in the recipe card below—your feedback helps others discover this creamy, flavorful dish. Enjoy, and happy cooking! Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more delicious recipes, travel inspiration, and behind-the-scenes content.

Recipe

classic croque madame sandwich recipe

Classic French Croque Madame Sandwich with Parmesan Béchamel

A rich and cozy French-style sandwich layered with honey ham, melty Gruyère, and creamy Parmesan béchamel, topped with a golden sunny-side-up egg. Perfect for brunch or breakfast-for-dinner!
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Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Brunch, Sandwich
Servings 1 sandwich
Calories 610 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Béchamel Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 ½ teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cream whole milk or half & half
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg

For the Sandwich:

  • 1 tablespoon butter for grilling
  • 2 slices thick-cut bread sourdough, French, or country-style
  • 4 slices honey ham
  • ¼ cup grated Gruyère cheese or Swiss cheese

For the Egg:

  • ½ tablespoon butter
  • 1 large egg
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Fresh chives chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions
 

Make the Béchamel Sauce:

  • In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.
  • Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in flour and whisk until smooth.
  • Slowly whisk in cream, stirring constantly.
  • Add Parmesan, Dijon, and nutmeg. Continue whisking until thickened, 3–4 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and set aside.

Assemble the Sandwich:

  • Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Place one slice of bread in the pan, then layer on half of the Gruyère, all of the ham, and the rest of the cheese. Top with the second slice of bread.
  • Grill 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp.

Broil with Béchamel:

  • Transfer the grilled sandwich to a baking sheet lined with parchment.
  • Spoon béchamel sauce over the top and broil for 2–4 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Watch closely!

Cook the Egg:

  • In a small pan, melt butter over medium-low heat.
  • Crack in the egg and cook sunny-side-up until whites are set and yolk is runny (or to desired doneness).

Assemble & Serve:

  • Top the sandwich with the fried egg. Garnish with salt, pepper, and fresh chives. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • This sandwich is best served fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated for 1 day and reheated in a skillet or under the broiler.
  • To Make Gluten-free: Use sturdy gluten-free bread (such as Schar's Deli-Style) and use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (like Bob’s Red Mill) in the béchamel.
  • Nutritional information is an estimate only and will vary according to specific ingredients and amounts used.

Nutrition

Calories: 610kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 30gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 255mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1g
Keyword croque madame sandwich
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