Croque Monsieur Recipe (Toasted Ham and Cheese Sandwich)

Enjoy a taste of France with Croque Monsieur! It's a mouthwatering sandwich filled with luscious ham and cheese, perfected with a rich béchamel sauce for an unforgettable meal.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon salted butter
• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 4 thick slices of French bread
• 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 cups grated Gruyere cheese (about 4 ounces, divided)
• 4 ounces smoked ham (sliced)
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius).
2. 2Melt butter in your smallest saucepan over medium-low heat. After a few minutes, it will start to bubble. Once you see the bubbles, add the flour and begin to whisk. Cook, whisking, for two to three minutes until smooth and bubbly. Pour the milk in very slowly while continuing to whisk. Cook and whisk for another four or five minutes, until thick.
3. 3Meanwhile, place your slice of bread in the preheated oven and toast for three or four minutes per side.
4. 4Once the sauce is thick, turn off the heat and add the nutmeg, black pepper, and a third of the cheese. Set aside.
5. 5Remove the toasted bread from the oven and spread a teaspoon of mustard onto two of the pieces. Lay half of the ham on top of the mustard, followed by half of the remaining cheese. Top the sandwich with another piece of bread, then place on a broiling rack over a baking sheet. Pour the sauce all over the top of the sandwiches, then bake in the oven for 5 minutes.
6. 6Turn off the oven and turn the broiler on to high. Broil for two or three minutes, until the top of the sauce becomes bubbly and browned. Serve warm.