Name: Classic Croque Monsieur
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 4 slices white sandwich bread; 1/4 lb sliced ham 113 g; 1 1/2 cups Swiss cheese, divided (half sliced and half grated) 150 g; 1/4 cup butter 60 g; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 37 g; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 25 g

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By Rebecca St.Clair

This authentic Croque Monsieur recipe brings Parisian café flavour straight to your kitchen. With melty cheese, savoury ham, and a silky béchamel topping, this classic French sandwich recipe is ideal for anyone looking for an easy homemade Croque Monsieur that feels both cozy and satisfying.

This traditional Croque Monsieur sandwich recipe is the ultimate upgrade to grilled cheese. It’s a must-try French comfort food recipe for brunch lovers and sandwich fans. This classic sandwich is a true French café favourite and this easy recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavour with simple ingredients and foolproof steps.

A sliced croque monsieur sandwich on a white plate.

This classic Croque Monsieur sandwich is rich, savoury, with a perfectly balanced texture. This upgraded French ham and cheese sandwich shows exactly how to make Croque Monsieur at home without complicated techniques.

A croque monsieur sandwich sliced in three.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy – A simple sandwich elevated with a rich creamy cheese sauce.
Classic – A beloved traditional sandwich recipe.
Satisfying – Savoury flavours and hearty ingredients make this the perfect filling lunch or breakfast.

A side view of a croque monsieur sandwich, showing the inside ham and cheese.

How to store Croque Monsieur Sandwich

This homemade Croque Monsieur Sandwich is best served hot and fresh. However, if you are making this for a meal-prep or have some leftover, you can save this sandwich and reheat later.

Fridge

Allow the sandwich to cool completely.
Wrap completely in plastic wrap, or store in an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Reheating Tips (for Best Texture)

Oven or toaster oven: Best method to re-crisp bread and re-melt cheese.
Skillet: Great for restoring crispness.
Avoid microwave: It softens the bread and changes the texture of the sandwich.

A overhead view of a croque monsieur sandwich on a white plate.

Traditional Croque Monsieur Ingredients

Bread

For an authentic, café-style Croque Monsieur, go with pain de mie, soft white Pullman-style loaf, or white sandwich bread.

Cheese

A traditional Croque Monsieur sandwich is made with Swiss-style cheese like Gruyère, Emmental, or Comté.

Meat

An authentic Croque Monsieur, uses jambon de Paris or a mild, unsmoked deli ham sliced thin. Or the best quality sliced ham you have available.

How to make a Classic Croque Monsieur Sandwich

Assembling the sandwiches

Lightly toast 4 slices of bread.
Butter each slice and place on a baking sheet.

A baking sheet with 4 slices of buttered bread.

3. On top of 2 of the toast slices, place a layer of sliced Swiss cheese.

4. Layer on top of the cheese the sliced ham.

A baking sheet with 4 slices of toast. Half of them are layered with sliced Swiss cheese.

Four slices of toast. Two are layered with Swiss cheeese and ham.

5. Finish off with another layer of Swiss cheese.

6. Place the other 2 slices on top of each to finish each sandwiches.

Cheese sauce

In a sauce pot on medium heat add 1/4 cup butter and stir to melt.

Two ham and Swiss cheese sandwiches on a lined baking sheet.

A white sauce pot with melted butter. A woman is whisking it.

2. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.

3. Once you have a smooth paste return to the heat and whisk in 1 1/2 cups warm milk. Whisk constantly to avoid lumps.

4. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer and thicken.

A white sauce pot with butter and flour inside.

A woman is whisking béchamel in a white sauce pot.

5. Once you see bubbles start to break on the surface, you can remove it from the heat and stir in grated Swiss cheese and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan until melted.

6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Layer the sauce on top of each sandwich.

8. Place the sandwiches in the preheated oven for 8 minutes.

9. Turn the oven to broil and watching closely, allow the thick cheese sauce on each sandwich to brown and crisp slightly, about 2 minutes.

10. Remove from the oven and serve with your favourite side.