Budget-Friendly Croque Monsieur (Print View)

Toasted bread, ham, and cheese sauce make this classic French sandwich both affordable and satisfying.

# Components:

→ Sandwich

01 - 8 slices white or whole grain sandwich bread
02 - 4 slices ham, deli or cooked
03 - 4 slices cheese such as Emmental, Swiss, or affordable substitute
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Cheese Sauce

05 - 1 cup milk
06 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
07 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
08 - 3/4 cup grated cheese such as Emmental, Swiss, or affordable substitute
09 - Pinch of salt and pepper
10 - Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F or set grill to high.
02 - Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling but not browned. Gradually whisk in milk and stir until thickened, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in grated cheese until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
03 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Arrange 4 slices, buttered side down, on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
04 - Place a slice of ham and a slice of cheese on each prepared bread piece. Cover with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
05 - Spread a generous spoonful of cheese sauce over the tops of each sandwich.
06 - Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, until the tops are bubbling and golden. For added crispness, grill for an additional 2 minutes if desired.
07 - Serve immediately while hot, ideally accompanied by a green salad.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This tastes just as indulgent as classic Croque Monsieur, yet won’t empty your wallet.
  • The simple cheese sauce adds luxury with everyday ingredients—no specialty shopping required.
02 -
  • If the cheese sauce is too runny, the sandwiches end up soggy—thickening is your friend here.
  • Using parchment saves you from a sticky cleanup, and I learned the hard way not to skip it.
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese for the sauce if you can—pre-shredded doesn’t melt as smoothly.
  • Bake the sandwiches on the middle rack for even browning throughout.
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