Croque Madame is a classic French sandwich that marries the richness of ham and cheese with the decadence of a perfectly fried egg on top. It’s an elevated version of the beloved Croque Monsieur, making it a delightful brunch option or a satisfying lunch.
This dish features layers of toasted bread, Swiss or Gruyère cheese, and delicious ham, all enveloped in a creamy béchamel sauce. Topped with a sunny-side-up egg, it hits the spot for those seeking comfort and flavor.
With a prep time of just 15 minutes, this recipe allows you to enjoy a gourmet experience without hours in the kitchen.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve your Croque Madame warm, ideally on a plate with a side of mixed greens dressed in a light vinaigrette. For a perfect pairing, consider adding a fresh Mixed Green Salad to balance the richness of the sandwich. You can also complement your meal with a refreshing drink like a French Classic Mimosa or Iced Vanilla Latte.
For those interested in variety, try pairing the Croque Madame with a Tomato Basil Soup for a more filling meal. This combination enhances the experience while offering contrasting textures and tastes.
Tips and Notes
- Use good quality bread: Choose a sturdy sourdough or country-style bread to hold up against the filling.
- Make it lighter: Substitute the béchamel with a light spread of Dijon mustard for fewer calories.
- Experiment with cheese: Gruyère adds a rich flavor, but you can use Comté or even cheddar as an alternative.
- Perfect the egg: If you prefer, you can poach the egg for a different texture on top of the sandwich.
Serve this delightful dish at your next brunch and impress your friends or family! Enjoy the process of making this delicious Croque Madame, and explore new ways to enhance the recipe or pair it with your favorite sides.
Croque Madame
Equipment
- 1 Non-stick skillet
- 1 Baking sheet
- 1 Oven
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick bread
- 2 slices about 100g ham (preferably French ham or smoked ham)
- 1 cup about 100g Gruyère cheese, grated
- 4 tablespoons 60g unsalted butter (for spreading)
- 2 eggs
- Salt - to taste
- Black pepper - to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
For the Béchamel Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread Dijon mustard on one side of two slices of bread (if using). Layer one slice of ham and one slice of cheese on top. Place the other slice of bread on top to form a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the assembled sandwiches and cook until golden brown on one side, about 3-4 minutes.
- Flip the sandwiches and repeat on the other side, adding more butter if necessary.
- Transfer the sandwiches to the baking sheet and pour the béchamel sauce generously over each sandwich, then top with another half of cheese.
- Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
- While the sandwiches are baking, fry the eggs in a non-stick skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Once the cheese has melted, remove the sandwiches from the oven and top each with a fried egg.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy your delicious Croque Madame!