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    Home » Breakfast » Croque Madame Sandwich

    Croque Madame Sandwich

    Published on May 19, 2021 Modified: Jan 20, 2022 by The Foreign Fork This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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    This sandwich is the perfect simple and impressive brunch recipe. The Croque Madame takes a normal ham and cheese sandwich up a notch by including bechamel sauce and an over easy egg to top it all off. 

    Ham and cheese sandwich with an egg on top

    “Hello Reader! I try my hardest to research recipes as best as I can before posting to ensure I am representing each culture correctly. If this recipe is from your country and I have made a mistake or you have suggestions for how to make it more authentic, I would love to hear! Please leave a comment below letting me know what should be different, and I will rework the recipe. It is always my intention to pay homage and respect to each cultural dish that I cook. Thanks for reading!”

    Recipe Origins

    Croque Madame is an absolute staple in cafes across France. It’s the sister to the popular Croque Monsieur sandwich, which is an identical dish but without the egg garnishment on top. 

    While visiting Paris, I had my fair share of Croque Madames and was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved them every time! They are cheesy, decadent, filling, and so delicious. 

    A Croque Madame is a ham and cheese sandwich with bechamel sauce and topped with an egg. 

    The layers are as follows: Bread, Bechamel, Cheese, Ham, Bread, Bechamel, Cheese. 

    Why Make this Recipe

    Croque Madame on a cookie sheet with a Cactus behind it
    1. Quick Brunch: When I really want to impress guests, I love making this Croque Madame sandwich. It never fails to impress!
    2. “Travel” to France: While visiting Paris, I had a few different Croque Madame sandwiches for both breakfast and brunch. If you want to experience what cafe life is like in France, this recipe is a great way to do so! 

    What Do I Need to Make this Recipe? 

    Ingredients

    Labeled ingredient shot
    1. French Bread: Use a large loaf of French bread with slices about ½” thick. Do not use a baguette or something similar as the bread will be too small for a sandwich. 
    2. Ham: I use deli-sliced, lunchmeat ham 
    3. Gruyere Cheese: This recipe for 8 oz (typically one block) of cheese
    4. Spices: Salt, Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Dijon Mustard
    5. Pantry Staples: Butter, All Purpose Flour, Whole Milk

    Tools

    1. Medium Saucepan 
    2. Whisk
    3. Cookie Sheet 
    4. Frying Pan 
    5. Spatula 

    How to Make this Recipe

    Step 1: Make the Béchamel

    bechamel sauce in a pot

    In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once butter is melted, add the flour into the pot and whisk until a paste forms. 

    Allow the paste to cook for about 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds or so. 

    After 2 minutes, pour the milk into the pot. Whisk until the milk thickens enough that you can see whisk marks left behind in the roux after your whisk moves through it.

    Once thickened, remove from heat. Add the salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and dijon mustard into the bechamel and whisk to combine. Set aside. This is your bechamel sauce. 

    Step 2: Assemble the Croque Madames

    Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

    4 pieces of bread on a cookie sheet spread with bechamel sauce

    In a cookie sheet, lay 4 pieces of bread. Spread about 2 tbsp of bechamel onto each piece of bread. 

    Add about 1 ounce of shredded cheese on top of the bechamel. Then place 2 pieces of ham on each sandwich and finally, another piece of bread on top. 

    Uncooked but fully assembled croque madame

    On top of the top piece of bread, spread another 2 tbsp of bechamel sauce. On top of the bechamel, sprinkle another 1 oz of gruyere cheese. 

    Step 3: Cook the Sandwiches and Eggs

    Place the cookie sheet in the oven for about 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely. 

    While the sandwiches are in the oven, make 4 eggs over easy. 

    Croque Madame sandwiches after coming out of the oven with broiled cheese on top

    Once the cheese has melted on the sandwiches, remove the cookie sheet from the oven. Move the top rack of the oven up until it’s directly under the broiler, then turn the oven to a high broil. Put the cookie sheet of sandwiches back on the top rack and broil until the cheese is bubbly and starts to toast. Watch your sandwiches closely at this point, as broiling can cause them to burn easily.

    When the cheese is toasted, remove the sandwiches from the oven. Top each sandwich with an egg over easy. Cut with a fork to eat. Be sure to check out what to serve with Croque Monsieur because these delicious recipes are similar and will pair the same sides for a full meal. Enjoy! 

    Expert Tips

    Croque madame on a black plate surrounded with parsley
    • If you want a very quick brunch recipe, you can prep the bechamel ahead of time and simply assemble/bake the sandwich at the time of serving.
    • The bechamel will continue to thicken after you remove it from the heat. 
    • If you’d prefer to serve the sandwich without the egg on top, you can do so! This version of the sandwich is called a Croque Monsieur
    • In France, Croque Madame sandwiches are generally served with an arugula side salad! 

    Recipe FAQs 

    What is the Difference Between the Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame? 

    A Croque Madame is a Croque Monsieur with an egg on top. 

    If you would like to make a Croque Monsieur, simply make the recipe as the instructions state, but stop before adding the fried egg to the top of the sandwich. 

    How Do You Eat a Croque Madame? 

    Stack of croque madame sandwich dripping yolk

    The easiest way to eat a Croque Madame is with a fork and a knife. Though it’s a “sandwich” this recipe would be a little messy to eat with your hands! 

    How Did Croque Madame Get Its Name? 

    Rumor has it that a Croque Madame got its name because the egg on top looks like a women’s hat. 

    How Can I Adapt this Recipe? 

    Cookie sheet with 4 fully assembled croque madames with pineapple juice and parlsey on the side

    There are quite a few variations of Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame sandwiches. Try these swaps for a unique twist!: 

    • Add produce like tomatoes, potatoes, or pineapple  
    • Use different kinds of cheese like gouda or bleu cheese
    • Use different kinds of meat like chicken, salmon, or sausage
    • Use different kinds of sauces like salsa or bolognese 

    Did you like this recipe for a Croque Madame Sandwich? If so, don’t forget to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you: 

    • Peameal Bacon Breakfast Sandwich
    • Cuban Medianoche Sandwich Recipe
    • Czech Open Faced Sandwiches
    • Panzanella Sandwich 
    • Ham and Cheese Quiche Recipe from France
    • Easy Ratatouille Recipe

    Croque Madame Sandwich

    This sandwich is the perfect simple and impressive brunch recipe. The Croque Madame takes a normal ham and cheese sandwich up a notch by including béchamel sauce and an over easy egg to top it all off.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, brunch
    Cuisine: French
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 7 minutes
    Total Time: 27 minutes
    Servings: 4 sandwiches
    Calories: 933kcal
    Author: The Foreign Fork

    Equipment

    • Medium Saucepan
    • Whisk
    • Cookie Sheet
    • Frying Pan
    • Spatula

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp Butter
    • 3 tbsp All Purpose Flour
    • 1 ½ cups whole Milk
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ⅛ tsp black pepper
    • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
    • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
    • 8 slices of French bread, loaf, not baguette
    • 8 slices of Ham
    • 8 oz Shredded Gruyere cheese, about 3 cups, shredded
    • 4 eggs

    Instructions

    • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once butter is melted, add the flour into the pot and whisk until a paste forms.
    • Allow the paste to cook for about 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds or so.
    • After 2 minutes, pour the milk into the pot. Whisk until the milk thickens enough that you can see whisk marks left behind in the roux after your whisk moves through it.
    • Once thickened, remove from heat. Add the salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and dijon mustard into the bechamel and whisk to combine. Set aside. This is your bechamel sauce.
    • Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
    • On a cookie sheet, lay 4 pieces of bread. Spread about 2 tbsp of bechamel onto each piece of bread.
    • Add about 1 ounce of shredded cheese on top of the bechamel. Then place 2 pieces of ham on each sandwich and finally, another piece of bread on top.
    • On top of the top piece of bread, spread another 2 tbsp of bechamel sauce. On top of the bechamel, sprinkle another 1 oz of gruyere cheese.
    • Place the cookie sheet in the oven for about 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely.
    • While the sandwiches are in the oven, make 4 eggs over easy.
    • Once the cheese has melted on the sandwiches, remove the cookie sheet from the oven. Move the top rack of the oven up until it’s directly under the broiler, then turn the oven to a high broil. Put the cookie sheet of sandwiches back on the top rack and broil until the cheese is bubbly and starts to toast. Watch your sandwiches closely at this point, as broiling can cause them to burn easily.
    • When the cheese is toasted, remove the sandwiches from the oven. Top each sandwich with an egg over easy. Cut with a fork to eat. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Recipe copyright The Foreign Fork. For educational or personal use only. 
     
    • French Bread: Use a large loaf of French bread with slices about ½” thick. Do not use a baguette or something similar as the bread will be too small for a sandwich. 
    • Ham: I use deli-sliced, lunchmeat ham
    • Gruyere Cheese: This recipe for 8 oz (typically one block) of cheese
    • If you want a very quick brunch recipe, you can prep the bechamel ahead of time and simply assemble/bake the sandwich at the time of serving.
    • The béchamel will continue to thicken after you remove it from the heat. 
    • If you’d prefer to serve the sandwich without the egg on top, you can do so! This version of the sandwich is called a Croque Monsieur
    • In France, Croque Madame sandwiches are generally served with an arugula side salad!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 933kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 285mg | Sodium: 1852mg | Potassium: 565mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1101IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 767mg | Iron: 6mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheForeignFork or tag #TheForeignFork!

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    Hi there! My name is Alexandria. Thanks for stopping by! Spices, ingredients, utensils, techniques… we’ll learn it all, together. Join me for me for struggles and laughs and some crazy concoctions. Learn More...
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