When it comes to iconic French comfort food, few dishes are as beloved — or as indulgent — as the Croque Monsieur. This classic sandwich, layered with ham, creamy béchamel sauce, and melted cheese, is a staple in French cafés and a favorite among locals and tourists alike. With its golden, crispy crust and rich, gooey center, the Croque Monsieur perfectly blends simplicity with decadent flavor.
Despite its elegant reputation, the Croque Monsieur is surprisingly easy to make at home. It’s a dish that proves French cuisine isn’t all fine dining and fancy plating — sometimes, it’s about hearty, satisfying fare that warms both the stomach and the soul. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a brunch centerpiece, or a cozy dinner option, this sandwich delivers comfort in every bite.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make a classic Croque Monsieur from scratch — with tips for getting that perfect cheesy melt and golden crust. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or impressing guests, this French favorite is a guaranteed hit.
The Croque Monsieur is a classic French sandwich that is both delicious and comforting. It features ham, cheese, and béchamel sauce, making it a rich and satisfying meal perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.
Read here vegetarian food in France and Classic French Breakfast
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
Two of our favorite travel insurance: Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison of Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review and the comparison Heymondo vs Genki
Best Time to Eat & How to Partner This Dish
The Croque Monsieur shines as a brunch or lunch dish, particularly on weekends when you want something a little heartier than the usual sandwich. It also makes for a satisfying dinner when paired with a simple side salad or bowl of soup.
For the perfect pairing, serve your Croque Monsieur with a light green salad dressed in a mustard vinaigrette or a classic French onion soup for a bistro-style meal. To drink, opt for a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or even a glass of light-bodied red wine such as Pinot Noir to cut through the richness of the cheese and béchamel.
This dish also works wonderfully as part of a brunch spread alongside quiche, fresh fruit, or pastries. Its versatility means you can dress it up for guests or enjoy it as a comforting solo meal — either way, it always delivers.
One common misconception is that a Croque Monsieur is just a fancy grilled ham and cheese. While it shares some similarities, the addition of béchamel sauce and specific cheeses like Gruyère or Emmental set it apart as a richer, more indulgent dish with deep roots in French culinary tradition.
Another debated belief is that you need a professional kitchen or special tools to make it right. In reality, a good frying pan, oven, and quality ingredients are all you need. The key lies in proper layering, toasting, and not skimping on the béchamel.
Perhaps most surprising is the assumption that Croque Monsieur is always served hot with a runny egg — confusing it with the Croque Madame. The traditional Croque Monsieur is served hot and melty but without the fried egg on top, which is the signature twist of its counterpart, the Croque Madame. Knowing the difference can save you from ordering surprises at a Parisian café.
How to Make Croque Monsieur
Croque Monsieur Recipe Ingredients
For the Béchamel Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
A pinch of ground nutmeg
For the Sandwich:
8 slices of white bread (preferably thick-cut)
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
8 slices of ham
2 cups grated Gruyère cheese (or Emmental cheese)
Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor
Get the best deals for your home and kitchen needs
Step By Step How to Make Croque Monsieur
Making the Béchamel Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden, forming a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat and set aside.
Assembling the Sandwich
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly toast the bread slices in a toaster or under a broiler until just golden. Spread Dijon mustard on one side of each slice of toasted bread. On four slices of bread, place a slice of ham, then sprinkle with grated Gruyère cheese. Top with another slice of bread, mustard side down, to form a sandwich.
Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet. Spoon the béchamel sauce over the top of each sandwich, spreading it to cover the entire surface. Sprinkle with additional grated Gruyère and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Baking
Bake the sandwiches in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.
Serving
Serve the Croque Monsieur hot, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.
Tips To Make Croque Monsieur
Use high-quality, thick-cut bread for a sturdier sandwich. Gruyère is traditional, but Emmental or Swiss cheese are good substitutes.
Make sure the béchamel sauce is smooth and lump-free. Whisk continuously while adding the milk. Be generous with the béchamel sauce and cheese to ensure a rich and creamy sandwich.
How Many Calories Have Croque Monsieur
Bread: ~150-200 calories per slice (300-400 calories for two slices)
Ham: ~50-70 calories per slice (100-140 calories for two slices)
Cheese: ~100 calories per 1/2 cup grated Gruyère (200 calories for 1 cup)
Béchamel Sauce: ~150-200 calories
Butter: ~50 calories
Total: Approximately 800-990 calories per serving
Origin and History
The Croque Monsieur first appeared in early 20th-century Parisian cafés, where it quickly became a staple of casual French dining. Born from the French love of bread, cheese, and simple elegance, the sandwich emerged as a café favorite accessible enough for everyday lunches yet refined enough to feel unmistakably Parisian. Its appeal lay in its simplicity: toasted bread, quality ham, melted cheese, and a satisfying crunch.
As the dish gained popularity, it began appearing on menus across France, each region adding its own small twist. In Normandy, cooks leaned heavily on local cheeses. In Paris, the emphasis was on precision: perfect browning, just enough béchamel, and balance between crunch and softness. The name “Croque Monsieur,” loosely meaning “crunchy gentleman,” captured the sandwich’s playful and irresistible personality.
Over time, the Croque Monsieur became not just a sandwich but a cultural symbol. It represented the French approach to comfort food: simple ingredients, elevated by technique. As it spread globally, however, the sandwich was often reinterpreted far from its original form, leading many people to unknowingly stray from the classic version.
One of the biggest controversies revolves around béchamel sauce. Many home cooks skip it entirely, assuming it’s optional or too time-consuming. In France, though, béchamel is a defining element—it provides creaminess, depth, and structure. Removing it changes the sandwich into something else entirely, which is why French chefs are quick to correct this misunderstanding.
Another debate concerns the type of cheese. While many people use Swiss or any generic melting cheese, French cooks insist on Gruyère or Comté for their nutty complexity and ideal melting qualities. Replacing them with cheaper substitutes may be convenient, but it undeniably alters the authentic flavor profile that made the Croque Monsieur famous.
Bread is also a point of contention. Some people use thick brioche or heavy American sandwich loaves that overwhelm the fillings. Traditionalists argue that pain de mie light, slightly sweet, and finely textured is the proper foundation. Its softness allows the cheese and ham to shine, while still crisping beautifully under heat. To many French cooks, the wrong bread ruins the entire dish.
How Long You Take to Prepare
Making a proper Croque Monsieur takes less time than most people expect. Preparing the béchamel sauce requires about 10 minutes: melting butter, whisking in flour, adding warm milk, and seasoning with nutmeg. This small step transforms the sandwich into something rich and luxurious without adding complexity to the process.
Assembling the sandwich takes another 5 to 10 minutes. You layer quality ham, grated cheese, and a thin spread of béchamel between slices of bread, then top the sandwich with more béchamel and cheese. The assembly is quick, but the order and thickness of each layer matter to achieve the right texture.
Cooking typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. The sandwich is first toasted lightly, then baked or broiled until the cheese bubbles and develops a golden crust. From start to finish, the entire process takes around 30 minutes, making it perfect for both weekday meals and leisurely weekend brunches.
Serving Suggestions
The Croque Monsieur shines when paired with something fresh and crisp. A simple green salad with vinaigrette provides the perfect contrast to the sandwich’s richness, balancing the meal without competing with it. In France, this combination is standard café fare not overly fussy, but thoughtfully complementary.
For a heartier meal, serve the sandwich alongside roasted tomatoes or a bowl of French onion soup. The acidity of the tomatoes or the sweetness of caramelized onions offsets the cheese’s creaminess, creating a well-rounded dining experience. This pairing transforms the Croque Monsieur from a café snack into a full, satisfying lunch.
If you want to elevate the dish further, add a fried or poached egg on top to turn it into the famous Croque Madame. The runny yolk adds richness and a silky texture that blends beautifully with the béchamel and cheese. It’s a small addition that dramatically changes the experience without altering the sandwich’s essence.
Final Thoughts
The Croque Monsieur is a reminder of how French cooking transforms everyday ingredients into something memorable. When made properly, it’s more than a grilled ham and cheese sandwich—it’s a showcase of technique, balance, and respect for simplicity. Once you taste the authentic version, it’s easy to understand why it has remained a French favorite for over a century.
Many variations exist, but returning to the classic formula reveals how well-crafted the original truly is. Every component bread, cheese, ham, béchamel plays a specific role in creating texture and flavor. When combined with intention, the result is rich, comforting, and effortlessly elegant.
In the end, mastering the Croque Monsieur comes down to respecting its roots. Use quality ingredients, keep proportions balanced, and don’t skip the béchamel. With these principles in place, you’ll have a sandwich that captures the warmth of French cafés and brings true comfort to your kitchen every time.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.