How To Make Croque Madame

gruyère cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Low-fat cheese reduces calories while still melting well.

ham

🥗Healthier: turkey ham

💰Cheaper: bologna

Turkey ham is lower in fat, while bologna is often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier and can be used for frying.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + powdered milk

Almond milk is lower in calories, while powdered milk is cost-effective.

Heat a saucepan and add butter to melt.

Add flour to the melted butter to create a roux, whisking until thickened and no longer smells raw.

Slowly stream in milk while whisking vigorously until the mixture thickens and bubbles.

Switch to a silicone spatula to prevent scorching and ensure smoothness.

Add grated parm cheese and grated gruyère cheese to the sauce, whisk until smooth.

Grate nutmeg into the béchamel and season with salt to taste.

Set the béchamel aside and assemble the sandwiches with thick-cut bread, Dijon mustard, ham, béchamel, and more gruyère cheese.

Melt butter in a skillet instead of buttering the bread, then add the sandwiches and press down.

Cook over medium-low heat until golden brown on both sides, flipping carefully.

Top the sandwiches with more béchamel and place them under the broiler to toast and brown the cheese.

Fry an egg in a nonstick skillet with a little butter until the whites are set and the yolk is runny.

Place the fried egg on top of the sandwich and serve.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens