Classic Croque Monsieur Recipe: French Ham & Cheese Sandwich

Oi Gente!!

This baked croque monsieur sandwich recipe is one of our all-time favorite brunch dishes. It’s family-friendly and crowd-pleasing—a sheet-pan take on the French classic that stays cheesy, creamy in the center, and delightfully crunchy on top. The best part is how easy it is: assemble the sandwiches on a sheet pan, bake until melted and golden, and you’re ready to serve. Perfect for brunch with friends or a holiday morning. (Recipe makes 12 sandwiches.)

A classic Croque Monsieur Sandwich recipe, prepared family style

My former partner is French, so I learned to make some of his childhood favorites to bring on the nostalgia. These ham-and-cheese sandwiches, drenched in a creamy béchamel, were always a hit. The gooey cheese and silky sauce are irresistible.

When I discovered his family makes croque monsieur in the oven—dozens at a time for picnics—I was thrilled. This sheet-pan method is brilliant for feeding a crowd, especially during the holidays when you can use leftover holiday ham. We also freeze leftovers individually for quick grab-and-go breakfasts throughout the week.

You can prepare the béchamel and grate the cheese ahead of time. On the morning of your brunch, just assemble and bake the sandwiches—more time to enjoy with family and friends.

Bom Apetite!
Beijinhos xx

Croque Monsieur Ingredients

Don’t be intimidated by the list—most items are pantry basics or easy to find. A few optional aromatics elevate the béchamel, but the recipe is straightforward.

For the Béchamel:

My béchamel has a few extra flavor notes—cloves, bay leaf, thyme and a pinch of nutmeg add aroma and depth. They’re optional, but they give the sauce a lovely nuance that many French friends have enjoyed. You’ll need:

• full fat milk
• unsalted butter
• all purpose flour
• ground nutmeg
• bay leaf
• onion
• whole cloves (optional—adds subtle warmth and sweetness)
• fresh thyme (optional for extra aroma)
• ground white pepper (optional—black pepper works fine; white pepper keeps the sauce visually pristine)

For the sandwiches:

• white sandwich bread — classic white sandwich loaf works great; you can use sliced country or other crusty white breads if preferred.
• ham — deli-sliced ham, thinly sliced ball ham, or leftover holiday ham (shredded or sliced).
• melting cheese — Gruyère is ideal; Emmental or Comté are excellent alternatives for that nutty, melty texture.

Croque Monsieur Béchamel

Making béchamel is simple. Follow these steps:

Step 1 – Make an onion piqué by piercing whole cloves into half an onion. Melt butter in a pot over low heat, add the clove-studded onion and let it sweat for a few minutes.

Step 2 – Add milk, the bay leaf, thyme sprig, nutmeg and white pepper. Bring the milk to a low simmer to infuse the flavors.

Step 3 – When the milk simmers, remove and discard the onion and herbs. Whisk in the flour rapidly to avoid lumps and cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare the béchamel ahead, cover it with plastic so it doesn’t form a skin, and chill. On the day, just assemble and bake for a quick brunch.

How to Make Croque Monsieur in the oven

With the béchamel ready, assemble the sandwiches on a sheet pan. Start by layering half the slices of bread across the pan.

If you’re using a ball of ham or leftover roast ham, you can roughly chunk it and pulse it in a food processor to get evenly sized pieces—less slicing and fast prep.

(Full disclosure: traditionalists may prefer hand-sliced ham, but the food processor is a handy shortcut when time or help is limited.)

Assembly: spread a thin layer of béchamel on each bottom slice (use a spatula like butter), add ham, then cheese, spoon more béchamel over the cheese, top with the second slice of bread and finish with another generous layer of cheese. Bake at 400°F until the cheese melts and the tops are golden and crispy. Serve hot with coffee or your favorite brunch cocktail.

Here are some great brunch cocktail ideas:

Make a Mimosa Bar!

Rosé Sangria

Pineapple Rum Punch

Croque Monsieur FAQ:

Try these other easy brunch recipes for a crowd:

Shrimp Over Yuca

Spinach and Feta Frittata

Fried Egg Breakfast Sandwich

More easy leftover ham recipes:

Arroz Maluco – Brazilian Fried Rice

Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins

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