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Recipes » Courses » Main Dish » Croque Madame Recipe

Croque Madame Recipe

Posted on December 25, 2020 By Chef Billy Parisi

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If you are looking to make the ultimate ham and cheese sandwich, then look no further than this amazing French Croque Madame Recipe.

We are huge sandwich fans in this, I mean I grew up on lunch meat!  If you’re the same then definitely check out my ribeye steak sandwich or a fish po’boy.

a croque madame sandwich with a fried egg on top

Croque Madame

The Croque madame is a delicious sandwich, kind of like a grilled cheese, that originated in France. It’s incredibly easy to make and has been a staple in French cafes and around the world since the 1960s.

Here are the main ingredients used in this sandwich:

  • French Bread
  • Bechamel
  • Ham
  • Cheese
  • Egg

There are also a few different kinds of cheese you can use as well.  I prefer to use a French cheese like Comte, while a lot of other recipes you may find use gruyere.  Either works well in this.  I also like to add Dijon or whole grain mustard to the sandwich for a nice touch of tang and zest to the Croque madame.

What is the Difference Between a Croque Madame and Croque Monsieur

As fun as these names are to say, the only difference between these sandwiches is an egg.  Either a fried or poached egg is served on top of the sandwich in a Croque madame.

How to Make It

Follow these simple instructions to make this delicious Croque madame recipe:

Start by making a homemade bechamel sauce and set it to the side.

making a bechamel sauce

Add two slices of bread to a large frying pan over low heat with melted butter and toast the bread.

toasting bread with butter in a pan

Spread whole-grain mustard on 1 side of the toasted bread.

spreading whole-grain mustard on toasted bread in a pan

Stack ham on top of the mustard on the bread and then ladle on the bechamel.

placing ham slices and bechamel sauce onto toasted piece of bread

Evenly sprinkle on the shredded cheese and then place the other toasted bread to the top.

sprinkling Comte cheese onto a slice of bread

Add some more shredded cheese to the top of the bread and then place under the broiler on low heat on the middle rack for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese and completely melted.

adding shredded Comte cheeses to the top piece of toasted bread

In the meantime, fry, and egg in a small frying pan with oil until it is over easy.

frying an egg in a pan

Serve the egg on top of the sandwich and garnish with chopped parsley.

placing a fried egg on top of a croque madame sandwich

Recipe Chef Notes + Tips

Make-Ahead: This sandwich is meant to be eaten as soon as it is done.

How to Store: Cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.  This sandwich will not freeze well.

How to Reheat: Place the sandwich on a cookie sheet tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 350° for 4-6 minutes or until hot.  You can also reheat in the microwave until warm.

Other cheeses you can use are swiss, Emmental, Jarlsberg, Beaufort, or raclette.

You do not need to use mustard, but it does add some great flavors.

Some other great breads to use are sourdough, white, or a boule.

Another variation you can do is swap out the ham with cooked and sliced chicken breasts.

I like to serve up the Croque madame with extra mustard and sliced pickles.

a stacked croque madame sandwich with a fried egg on top

More Ham Recipes

  • Ham and Bean Soup
  • Sliders
  • Omelette
  • Ham and Green Bean Stew
  • Pasta

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest, and if you’ve had a chance to make this then definitely drop me a comment and a rating below!

Video

a croque madame sandwich with a fried egg on top
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Croque Madame Recipe

If you are looking to make the ultimate ham and cheese sandwich, then look no further than this amazing French Croque Madame Recipe.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time8 mins
Course: lunch, Main
Cuisine: French
Servings: 6
Calories: 1089kcal
Author: Chef Billy Parisi

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 12 slices of artisan bread
  • 6 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
  • 2 pounds sliced ham
  • bechamel recipe
  • 4 cups shredded Comte cheese
  • 6 fried eggs

Instructions

  • Preheat the broiler to low heat.
  • Add 2 teaspoons of the butter to a very large pan over medium-low heat until melted.
  • Add 2 slices of bread to the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until toasted and lightly browned.
  • Put 2 more teaspoons of butter into the pan and flip the bread over to cook on the other side.
  • On two of the pieces of toasted bread add 2 teaspoons of mustard to each spreading it around to cover.
  • Add 4-6 ounces of ham to the top of the toast with mustard and then evenly spread/layer on as follows: 4 ounces of bechamel, 1/2 cup shredded cheese, a slice of toasted bread, and finally a ¼ cup of shredded cheese.
  • Place under the broiler on low heat on the middle rack for 3 to 4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and browned.
  • In the meantime, fry the eggs to the desired internal temperature.
  • Top the sandwich with the fried egg and slice the sandwich and garnish optionally with chopped parsley.
  • Repeat the process to make the other 5 sandwiches.

Notes

Chef notes:
  • Make-Ahead: This sandwich is meant to be eaten as soon as it is done.
 
  • How to Store: Cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This sandwich will not freeze well.
 
  • How to Reheat: Place the sandwich on a cookie sheet tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 350° for 4-6 minutes or until hot. You can also reheat in the microwave until warm.
 
  • Other cheeses you can use are swiss, Emmental, Jarlsberg, Beaufort, or raclette.
 
  • You do not need to use mustard, but it does add some great flavors.
 
  • Some other great breads to use are sourdough, white, or a boule.
 
  • Another variation you can do is swap out the ham with cooked and sliced chicken breasts.
 
  • I like to serve up the Croque madame with extra mustard and sliced pickles.

Nutrition

Calories: 1089kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 71g | Fat: 76g | Saturated Fat: 37g | Cholesterol: 394mg | Sodium: 2616mg | Potassium: 687mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1549IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1015mg | Iron: 4mg
Croque Madame Recipe was last modified: December 21st, 2020 by Chef Billy Parisi

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Comments

  1. Rehab says

    December 25, 2020 at 9:27 am

    5 stars
    Looks yummy!
    So easy!

    Reply

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ABOUT ME

I’m Billy Parisi and thanks for checking out my site! I’m a culinary school grad that spent 15 years in the restaurant industry as a line cook, sous chef and executive chef. Now I write recipes, take pictures of’em, shoot some video, occasionally hosting on TV, checking out the latest fashion, hangin with my wife and daughter and watching a whole bunch of college sports. Hope you enjoy my twists on classics as well as new innovations! Read More…

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