Budget-Friendly Croque Monsieur (Printable)

Golden bread, creamy cheese sauce, and ham combine for a comforting classic French main, simple and wallet-friendly.

# What You Need:

→ Sandwich

01 - 8 slices white or whole grain sandwich bread
02 - 4 slices cooked ham or affordable deli ham
03 - 4 slices Emmental, Swiss, or affordable cheese
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 Emmental, Swiss, or affordable cheese
09 - Pinch salt
10 - Pinch ground black pepper
11 - Pinch ground nutmeg (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F or set grill to high heat.
02 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling but not browned. Gradually whisk in milk and stir until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add grated cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if desired.
03 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Arrange 4 slices, buttered side down, on a parchment-lined baking tray. Place 1 slice of ham and 1 slice of cheese on each. Top with the remaining bread, buttered side up.
04 - Spread a generous spoonful of the cheese sauce evenly over the surface of each sandwich.
05 - Bake sandwiches for 6 to 8 minutes until the tops are bubbling and golden. For additional crispness, place under the grill for 2 minutes to finish.
06 - Serve hot with an optional side of green salad for freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The melty cheese sauce makes you forget you’re cooking on a budget.
  • It’s almost impossible to mess up, and the results taste gourmet.
02 -
  • Once, I forgot to thicken the sauce enough, and it made the bread soggy—let it simmer that extra minute.
  • Switching to parchment paper saved me a tedious pan scrub every single time.
03 -
  • Let the sauce cool slightly before spreading, so it doesn’t slide off the bread.
  • A baking tray lined with parchment saves cleanup and prevents sticking every time.
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