Traditional Croque Monsieur with Bechamel Sauce (Cafe-Style)

Perfect for your next large lunch gathering, this recipe for traditional, cafe-style croque monsieur sandwiches is one you'll definitely want to try.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 434 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pound shredded Gruyere cheese, divided
• 16 slices white sandwich bread
• ½ pound thinly sliced ham

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place bread slices on a baking sheet.

Step 2

Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour; cook and stir until paste-like, about 2 minutes. Slowly add milk, while stirring. Cook and stir until sauce is thickened, about 3 minutes. Turn off the burner and stir in 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese, salt, and pepper.

Step 3

Toast bread slices in the preheated oven, keeping an eye on them so they don't burn, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Step 4

Remove bread from the oven and top 8 slices with ham. Sprinkle 1/2 of the remaining Gruyere over the ham, then top with remaining 8 bread slices. Pour Bechamel sauce over each sandwich and sprinkle with remaining Gruyere.

Step 5

Return to the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil until cheese is nicely toasted but not burned, 1 to 2 minutes. Enjoy while hot.