Marry Me Brunch

Croque Madame

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Author: Ann Styles

Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Total: 35 mins | Serves: 4

The Croque Madame is a classic French bistro dish that elevates the traditional ham-and-cheese sandwich into a decadent meal. Featuring layers of ham, creamy Mornay sauce, and melted Gruyère cheese—or substitutes like Emmentaler, Fontina, Raclette, or Swiss—this dish is crowned with a perfectly cooked sunny-side-up egg. Garnished with Herbs de Provence or fresh parsley, it’s a fragrant, indulgent treat perfect for brunch or a special lunch.

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For the Mornay Sauce:
For the Sandwiches:
For the Eggs:
Optional Garnishes:

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Make the Mornay Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly golden. Gradually add the warm milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook 3–4 mins until sauce thickens. Stir in the salt, nutmeg, and grated cheese (Gruyère or substitute) until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread 1 tsp of Dijon mustard on one side of 4 slices of bread. Add 2 slices of ham on top of the mustard, then sprinkle a generous amount of grated cheese (Gruyère or substitute) over the ham. Top each with another slice of bread to form a sandwich.
  4. Cook the Sandwiches (Oven Method): Place the assembled sandwiches on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops of the sandwiches lightly with softened butter. Bake for 15 minutes, flipping the sandwiches halfway through, until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
  5. Add the Mornay Sauce: Spread a generous amount of Mornay sauce over the top of each sandwich. Sprinkle additional grated cheese (Gruyère or substitute) over the sauce. Broil for 3–5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
  6. Cook the Eggs: Heat butter or olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet and cook sunny-side up until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny.
  7. Assemble the Croque Madame: Place a sunny-side-up egg on top of each sandwich. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, chives or a pinch of Herbs de Provence for a fragrant finish. Add freshly ground black pepper and red pepper flakes, if desired.

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