Simple and elegant Croque Madame recipe made with ham, gruyere, parmesan cheese, a layer of béchamel sauce, and topped with a fried egg. It’s the most sophisticated ham and cheese sandwich around.
Do you love French cuisine as much as I do? Try my versions of a Monte Cristo Sandwich, Potato Leek Soup, or French Green Beans (Haricots Verts)!
Croque Madame is a gourmet French ham and cheese sandwich. It’s the female companion to Croque Monsieur but I like to think of this easy Croque Madame recipe as the elegant and classy version because it’s served with a fried egg on top. My couple of trips to Paris have long ago solidified my love for the magnificence of French cooking.
How to Make Croque Madame:
Make Béchamel Sauce: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly for about 3 minutes. Gradually add milk, stirring well until the mixture is smooth. Cook, stirring, until sauce is slightly thickened. Season with a little bit of salt and pepper. Remove from heat and whisk in mustard and nutmeg. Set aside.
Spread Béchamel and Ham: Spread each bread slice with a thin layer of béchamel, spreading it all the way to the edges. Place 4 slices of bread, béchamel side up, on prepared baking sheet. Top with a piece of ham.
Add Cheese: Top bread with a sprinkle of freshly grated gruyere and parmesan cheese. Top with another bread slice, béchamel side up, then sprinkle with remaining gruyere and parmesan cheese.
Bake at 425° F for 5-6 minutes, until cheese is melted, then turn the oven to broil and toast until the cheese on top is lightly golden, 2-4 minutes.
Top with Egg: While sandwiches bake, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Grease the pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray and crack eggs into hot pan (you may need to do this in batches, depending on size of skillet). Reduce heat to medium and cook for several minutes, until desired doneness. Place an egg on top of each hot sandwich and serve.
Make Ahead Instructions:
To Make Ahead: The Béchamel Sauce is easy to prep ahead and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week in advance.
Recipe Variations:
- Croque Monsieur: leave off the fried egg.
- Bread: Any bread will work, but we recommend thin white sandwich bread because it tends to make the yummiest layered grilled cheese.
- Cheese: Croque Madame is made with high quality cheese like guryere and parmesan. Substitutes may include Emmental, Jarlsberg, Beaufort cheese or simply use a cheese you like, understanding that it may differ from the traditional French way.
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Recipe
Croque Madame
Ingredients
For the Béchamel sauce:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ of a stick)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dijon mustard
- dash of ground nutmeg
For the Sandwiches:
- 8 thin slices white sandwich bread
- 5 ounces good quality ham , about 8 slices
- 6 ounces Gruyere cheese , or Emmental cheese, grated (about 2½ cups)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 4 eggs
Instructions
Make Béchamel Sauce:
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes. Gradually add milk, stirring well until the mixture is smooth. Cook, stirring, until sauce is slightly thickened. Season with a little bit of salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat and whisk in mustard and nutmeg. Set aside while you make the sandwiches. Sauce can be made up to 1 week in advance, stored in the refrigerator.
Assemble Sandwiches:
- Preheat oven to 425° F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- Spread each bread slice with a thin layer of béchamel, spreading it all the way to the edges. Place 4 slices of bread, béchamel side up, on prepared baking sheet.
- Top bread with a piece of ham and a sprinkle of freshly grated gruyere and parmesan cheese. Top with another bread slice, béchamel side up, then sprinkle with remaining gruyere and parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 5-6 minutes, until cheese is melted, then turn the oven to broil and toast until the cheese on top is lightly golden, 2-4 minutes.
- While sandwiches bake, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Grease the pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray and crack eggs into hot pan (you may need to do this in batches, depending on size of skillet). Reduce heat to medium and cook for several minutes, until desired doneness. Place an egg on top of each hot sandwich.
Notes
- Croque Monsieur: leave off the fried egg.
- Bread: Any bread will work, but we recommend thin white sandwich bread because it tends to make the yummiest layered grilled cheese.
- Cheese: Croque Madame is made with high quality cheese like guryere and parmesan. Substitutes may include Emmental, Jarlsberg, Beaufort cheese or simply use a cheese you like, understanding that it may differ from the traditional French way.
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe October 2020. Updated March 2023.
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The Croque Madame worked well. It did heve “crunchy bites”. I enjoyed it very much. Next time, I will add some hot Bechamel on the side or the toast. A delight along with my sliced oranges and iced coffee.
These are amazing and my boyfriend says they are his new favorite! Will definitely be making again. Thanks!