The croque monsieur is a decadent French sandwich with humble roots. Croque means “crunch” and monsieur means “sir,” and the sandwich lives up to its name. To make this sandwich, layers of thinly sliced ham and Gruyère cheese meld together with a rich Mornay sauce. The sandwich is topped with more sauce and cheese before toasting, usually in the oven. The result is a rich sandwich with a cheesy, creamy center and a crisp and crunchy exterior.
You’ve probably seen this sandwich on the menu at French cafés and bistros. It’s been satisfying French diners for over a hundred years, so cooks have had plenty of time to perfect it. Our recipe uses all the classic ingredients and the result is an indulgent sandwich you’ll love.
Kelsey Hansen
Ingredients for Croque Monsieur
This simple sandwich doesn’t require many ingredients or any special equipment, but be sure to use good-quality ingredients.
Bread: Croque Monsieur is typically made with a firm but soft bread. A lot of meat, cheese, and sauce are piled onto the bread, so you want something sturdy enough to hold everything without falling apart. Look for a crusty boule, like sourdough or pain de campagne, or thick slices of brioche or pain de mie.
Ham: This sandwich is the perfect thing to make if you have leftover ham from a bone-in roast–you can slice off as many thin pieces as you need. You can also buy sliced bistro-style ham from the deli counter at the grocery store.
Cheese: Gruyère is traditional for the croque monsieur and it’s our pick, but you can use a cheese that melts well, such as Swiss or Emmental. They are both slightly milder and less pungent than Gruyère.
Mornay sauce: Some of the cheese is stirred into a classic béchamel sauce. The sauce is used inside the sandwich and on top.
Mornay Sauce
What is the difference between béchamel sauce and Mornay sauce? Mornay is a type of béchamel sauce. The base is the same, but Mornay has cheese melted into the sauce.
What’s the Difference Between a Croque Monsieur and a Croque Madame?
As their names suggest, the croque monsieur and croque madame sandwiches are similar. The only difference between the two is that the croque madame is topped with an egg. Either sandwich can be enjoyed at any time of the day, but adding an egg makes it a more substantial meal that is particularly suited for breakfast.