Croque Madame

Croque Madame

Have you ever had a Croque Madame?

It’s a classic French bistro sandwich and is the most comforting breakfast sandwich there is.

A buttery grilled sandwich, filled with ham & gruyere cheese, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and a runny fried egg.

  • Servings– 1 Sandwich
  • Total Time– 30 minutes
Croque Madame-Must Love Garlic

Croque Madame Ingredients:

  • Butter– salted or unsalted.
  • Garlic– minced.
  • Flour- all purpose.
  • Cream– you can use either whole milk or half & half.
  • Bread– a good quality sliced bread. Sourdough or potato are always great choices for this.
  • Sliced Honey Ham
  • Grated Cheese– this is traditionally made with Gruyere cheese but you can use whatever cheese sounds good to you and has a good melt.
  • Grated Parmesan
  • Egg- the fried runny egg is a must.
  • Chives- for garnish.
  • Nutmeg– nutmeg is a great spice for creamy cheese sauces. A little go es a long way in elevating the flavors.
Croque Madame- Must Love Garlic
Croque Madame Sandwich

How to Make Croque Madame:

  • Make Beschamel Sauce
    • Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
    • Sprinkle in flour and stir. A light paste should form, do not let it brown!
    • Slowly whisk in 1/4 cup cream, then whisk in other 1/4 cup. Continue whisking and stirring until mixture has thickened slightly about 2-3 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and whisk in grated Parmesan cheese and nutmeg. Set aside.

  • Make Grilled Sandwich
    • lay down one slice of bread, top with 1 tablespoon of grated cheese, followed by sliced ham, then another 1 tablespoon cheese, and other slice of bread.
    • Melt remaining butter in skillet over medium, add sandwich and grill about 2 minutes per side until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown.

  • Add Sauce & Broil– top sandwich with beschamel sauce and remaining grated cheese. Place sandwich on a baking sheet and blast with broiler until cheese topping is bubbly.

  • Fry Egg & Enjoy: add an egg to lightly oiled frying pan over medium heat. Cover and let egg cook for 90-120 seconds until whites have set but yolk is still running. Add egg to sandwich and top with chives and pepper.
Croque Madame Sandwich

More Breakfast & Brunch Recipes You Will Love:

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Close up of croque madame sandwich with fried egg and fresh herbs.

Croque Madame

Croque Madame, a buttery grilled sandwich, filled with ham & gruyere cheese, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and a runny fried egg.
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine French
Servings 1

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Frying Pan
  • Spatula
  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1/2 cup half & half
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp grated Parmesan
  • 2 slices bread
  • 3-4 slices honey ham
  • 3 tbsp grated Gruyère cheese
  • 1 egg
  • Chives

Instructions
 

  • Make Béchamel Sauce– melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Sprinkle in flour and stir. A light paste should form. Slowly whisk in 1/4 cup cream, then whisk in other 1/4 cup. Continue whisking and stirring until mixture has thickened slightly about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in grated Parmesan cheese and nutmeg. Set aside.
  • Grill Sandwich– lay down one slice of bread, top with 1 tablespoon of grated Gruyère cheese, followed by sliced ham, then another 1 tablespoon cheese, and other slice of bread. Melt remaining butter in skillet over medium heat, add sandwich and grill about 2 minutes per side until cheese has melted and bread is golden brown.
  • Add Sauce & Broil– top sandwich with Béchamel sauce and remaining grated cheese. Place sandwich on a baking sheet and broil until cheese topping is bubbly and beginning to brown.
  • Fry Egg & Enjoy- add an egg to lightly oiled frying pan over medium heat. Cover and let egg cook for 90-120 seconds until whites have set but yolk is still runny. Add egg to sandwich and top with chives and pepper.
Keyword beschamel, breakfast sandwich, comfort food, croque madame, grilled breakfast sandwich, grilled sandich, gruyere, ham
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!


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