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This croque madame is the perfect combination of bechamel cheese sauce, Canadian bacon, and Swiss cheese stuffed between two slices of crusty bread and topped with a fried egg. It’s perfect for breakfast or dinner.
The first time I went to France I basically ate just bread, butter, and any other sweet treat that found it’s way to my mouth.
It was spectacular. However, since I knew I needed some protein to actually survive I also indulged in eating the spectacular croque madame. Which is really just a fancy sounding French name that combines ham, cheese, bechemel sauce, on crusty French bread topped with a fried egg.
It’s delicious in every single way.
And, as fancy as it may sound or look it’s actually quite easy to make in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Tradtionally you would use ham and Gruyere cheese but to make it simple (and cost effective) I’m using lean Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese. However, if you have good quality ham and fancy cheese laying around, feel free to use that instead!
Ingredients needed
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Milk
- Swiss cheese
- Thyme
- Nutmeg
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Crusty bread
- Dijon mustard
- Canadian bacon
- Fried egg
How to make a Crouque Madame
You’re going to love how easy it is to make this French sandwich. It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures!
- In a small skillet make your cheesy bechemel sauce and set it aside while you prepare the rest of the sandwich.
- Spread the inside of your bread with Dijon mustard and bechemel sauce.
- Lay on Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese.
- Pop under the broiler.
- Remove from broiler, top with bread slice, cover in sauce and remaining shredded cheese, and place back under the broiler.
- When bubbly and browned remove from the broiler, top with fried egg and enjoy!
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- I’m using Canadian bacon because I like how lean and filling it is. Making it an excellent choice for this dish. However, traditional sliced deli ham can be used in it’s place.
- Swiss cheese is a cost effective way to make this sandwich but if you have Grueyer on hand use that instead.
- You can make the cheesy bechemel sauce 24 hours ahead.
- Leave the egg off and you’ll make a croque monsieur!
More egg recipes
Croque Madame
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, divided
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
- 4 thick slices bread
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 8 slices Canadian bacon
- 2 large eggs, fried
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone liner and set aside.
- In a 12-inch skillet add butter and melt over medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted whisk in the flour and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and free of flour clumps.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and keep whisking until smooth and the mixture thickens.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, fresh thyme leaves, kosher salt, ground pepper, and nutmeg.
- Lay out 4 slices of bread, spreading each slice with equal amounts of Dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon of Swiss cheese sauce.
- On two slices of the bread, top with four slices of Canadian bacon and two tablespoons of shredded Swiss cheese, each.
- Place the Canadian bacon and cheese topped slices to your prepared baking pan. Place under the broiler until the cheese is melted, browned and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with the remaining slice of bread, cheese sauce side down. Top each sandwich with equal parts Swiss cheese sauce and remaining shredded Swiss cheese.
- Place back under the broiler and cook until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- When sandwich is fully cooked top with egg and enjoy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I would totally become a morning person for this! YUM