Mini Croque Monsieur Sandwiches

These make-ahead appetizers boast a blend of melty cheese and an indulgent béchamel sauce, making them both casual and sophisticated—the perfect party app.

📝 Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Land O Lakes® Butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 18 slices white bread, crusts removed
• 8 ounces tavern ham, thinly sliced
• 12 ounces (3 cups) Land O Lakes® Creamy Italian Blend Cheese Chunk coarsely shredded

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Melt butter in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour; whisk 1 minute. Add milk, 1/4 cup at a time, whisking constantly and allowing sauce to thicken between each addition. When all milk is added, bring to a boil and whisk 30 seconds. Remove from heat; season with salt and pepper. Set béchamel sauce aside to cool.
2. 2Meanwhile, toast each bread slice in toaster until pale golden brown. Spread about 1 tablespoon béchamel sauce on 1 slice bread to cover. Top each with 3/4 ounce ham and 3/4 ounce cheese. Top with 1 slice bread and another 1 tablespoon béchamel. Repeat with all remaining toasts to make 9 sandwiches total. When finished, top sandwiches evenly with remaining cheese; place on baking sheet. Wrap baking sheet securely in plastic wrap.
3. 3Refrigerate at least 1 hour. When ready to bake, heat oven to 375°F. Unwrap sandwiches; place on baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Adjust oven to broil; broil 2-3 minutes or until tops of sandwiches are light golden brown and bubbly. Remove from oven; cut into triangles to serve immediately.