Croque Madame

4.8
(4)
2 Reviews
2 Photos

A classic croque madame makes the perfect French-inspired brunch or lunch dish. Once you try this, it will be hard to have "just" a ham and cheese sandwich again. Don't cheat and use Swiss cheese, this deserves the real thing! Using Gruyère cheese will make all the difference.

Submitted by C R Henning
Updated on November 16, 2022
2
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
2
Yield:
2 sandwiches
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 2 servings

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter, softened, divided

  • 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup milk

  • 2 ounces shredded Gruyère cheese

  • ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste

  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 4 slices white bread, lightly toasted

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 2 thin slices Black Forest ham

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill, or to taste (Optional)

Directions

  1. Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.

  2. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and stir until slightly brown, about 3 minutes. Whisk in milk; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once boiling, reduce heat immediately and simmer for 5 minutes. Add 1/2 of the Gruyère cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg; heat until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.

  3. Spread about 1 teaspoon butter on 2 pieces of bread. Spread 1 tablespoon cheese sauce on top and layer each with a ham slice. Spread 1 teaspoon butter on the remaining 2 pieces of bread, then spread Dijon mustard on top and sprinkle with remaining Gruyère. Transfer all 4 pieces to a baking sheet.

  4. Broil in the preheated oven until cheese is almost melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oven, place toast slices together to make 2 sandwiches and pour remaining cheese sauce on top of each sandwich. Return to the broiler until sauce starts to brown, about 2 minutes.

  5. While the sandwiches are broiling, heat remaining butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Crack 2 eggs into the skillet, keeping them completely separate from one another. Season with salt and pepper. Add water, cover, and baste until whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 2 minutes.

  6. Top each sandwich with an egg and sprinkle with dill, if using. Serve immediately.

Croque Madame Sandwich

Cook's Note:

You can omit the garnish or garnish with chives instead of dill, if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

639 Calories
43g Fat
37g Carbs
25g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Calories 639
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 43g 55%
Saturated Fat 24g 121%
Cholesterol 294mg 98%
Sodium 1264mg 55%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 14%
Dietary Fiber 2g 5%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 25g 51%
Vitamin C 4mg 5%
Calcium 542mg 42%
Iron 3mg 18%
Potassium 374mg 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.