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Home » Dinner » An Easy Croque Madame Recipe

An Easy Croque Madame Recipe

January 21, 2016 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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A perfectly made Croque Madame is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a cheesy Bechamel Sauce and a fried egg resting on top! The perfect breakfast sandwich. via @bigbearswifeA perfectly made Croque Madame is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a cheesy Bechamel Sauce and a fried egg resting on top! The perfect breakfast sandwich. via @bigbearswifeA perfectly made Croque Madame is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a cheesy Bechamel Sauce and a fried egg resting on top! The perfect breakfast sandwich. via @bigbearswifeA perfectly made Croque Madame is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a cheesy Bechamel Sauce and a fried egg resting on top! The perfect breakfast sandwich. via @bigbearswifeA perfectly made Croque Madame is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a cheesy Bechamel Sauce and a fried egg resting on top! The perfect breakfast sandwich. via @bigbearswife

A perfectly made Croque Madame is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a cheesy Bechamel Sauce and a fried egg resting on top! The perfect breakfast sandwich.

Croque Madame

Everyone is out clearing the shelves at our grocery stores because we’re suppose to get some snow this weekend. I had plans to go to the grocery store yesterday evening before I even knew about the weather this weekend.

I wish I had planned better and went earlier. I suppose that it wasn’t so bad, but people sure do go crazy when snowflakes start falling. Snow started yesterday around 4, right before I got off work. Oh, but by the way people were driving you would have thought that a full on blizzard had just been dumped on us. haha.

It was pretty snow. It was melting as soon as it hit the road, so it was fluffy rain. However, you know we’re in the south and everyone panics when they hear the S word.

If snowflake are falling you better believe that people around here are driving like it’s their first day behind the wheel of a car and they’re running out to the store to buy all of the milk, eggs and bread.

However, you know we’re in the south. Everyone panics when they hear the S word. If snowflake are falling you better believe that people around here are driving like it’s their first day behind the wheel of a car. They are also going to be running out to the store to buy all of the milk, eggs and bread. Croque Madame

There are two reasons that I’ve never understood why people go crazy with buying milk, eggs and bread when it’s going to snow haha.

#1. Do you really going to survive on milk, eggs and bread if you’re snowed in? I always imagine that people are this items because they want to live off of french toast when it snows. haha 😉

#2. If you really think it’s going to snow that bad, why are you buying food that needs to be refrigerated? If the storm is going to be THAT bad it’s a possibility that your power might go out. soooo milk and eggs + no power… haha

Croque Madame

Even though I envision people making french toast for days when they’re stocking up on milk, bread and eggs, let me give you another idea for your snow day groceries! Let me introduce you to the Croque Madame!

Now some of you have probably already met a Croque Madame. Perhaps you’ve had a Croque Monsieur before.

They’re almost the same and they’re both equally delicious. The Croque Madame is a Croque Monsieur with a fried egg on top.

What’s a Croque Monsieur you ask? It’s a fancy, toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a cheesy Bechamel Sauce. That cheesy sandwich is then heated under the broiler.  Toss an egg on top of that perfect ham and cheese sandwich and you’ve got yourself the perfect Croque Madame.

Toss an egg on top of that perfect ham and cheese sandwich and you’ve got yourself the perfect Croque Madame.

Croque Madame

For this Croque Madame you’ll need to pick up a few things. a load of french bread, I mean you can use regular bread for these but I love how thick they are when I use a loaf bread like french bread or a loaf of Italian bread.  You’ll also want to grab some thin slices of ham, a bit of shredded Swiss cheese, some Dijon mustard and the items to make the Bechamel Sauce. I’ve got everything listed below for you so don’t worry.

  • A load of french bread, I mean you can use regular bread for these but I love how thick they are when I use a loaf bread like french bread or a loaf of Italian bread.
  • You’ll also want to grab some thin slices of ham
  • a bit of shredded Swiss cheese
  • some Dijon mustard
  • items to make the Bechamel Sauce.

I’ve got everything listed below for you so don’t worry.

Oh also, I know that “Bechamel Sauce” might sound hard to some but don’t worry, it’s really  easy to make.

Croque Madame

Once you’ve got your sandwiches assembled per the directions below you’re going to want to spoon that homemade bechamel sauce over them and pop them into the oven under the broiler.

Once they’re under the broiler they’ll toast up nicely and the cheesy bechamel sauce will get nice and brown and bubbly.

Croque Madame

For the egg part of the Croque Madame I’ll let you decide on when you want to make those.

I suggest frying the eggs while the sandwiches are under the broiler. That way the eggs are ready you can slide them onto the hot sandwiches as soon as they come out from under the broiler.

Croque Madame

However, depending on how many eggs you’re making, you might want to broil the sandwiches and then make the eggs to finish the Croque Madame.

I’ll leave that up to you.

Croque Madame

I like to cook my eggs for the Croque Madame just until the whites are solid and the yolk is still a little runny. I tend to always eat a Croque Madame with a knife and fork.

Instead of just picking it up and eating it like a normal sandwich so I love the egg like that when I slice into it.

If you’re not a fan of a runny yolk just cook your eggs for a wee bit longer.  I normally cook them for about 4 minutes, untouched, in a hot skillet with a tad of butter and a sprinkle of pepper.

Need some help in the fried egg department? Check this out.

Croque Madame

Oh and here’s a little trick that I like to use when I’m trying to get that “Perfect Looking” fried egg. Crack your egg into a ramekin instead of directly into the pan. Slowly pour a little of the egg white first without dumping the whole egg at once.

Let the some of the egg white start to sizzle and then pour the rest of the egg onto the center of the sizzling egg white but don’t move the ramekin away just yet. Use the edge of the ramekin to lightly hold the egg yolk in the center for about 30 seconds while the egg whites start to cook. This will keep the yolk mostly in the center instead of it just sliding all over the pan.

Croque Madame

Hope you love these Croque Madame sandwiches.

I don’t normally want snow on the roads but I have to admit that I kind of want a little bit. I need to be “snowed in” a bit this weekend. Maybe then I’ll get a little bit of rest.

haha Who am I kidding? We all know that if I get snowed in I’ll be working on recipes and blog stuff all weekend. I can live with that.

 

Croque Madame

Croque Madame

Created by Angie on January 20, 2016

Croque Madame It's a fancy, toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a cheesy Bechamel Sauce that's been heated under the broiler. Toss an egg on top of that perfect ham and cheese sandwich and you've got yourself the perfect Croque Madame.

  • Prep Time: 5m
  • Cook Time: 30m
  • Total Time: 35m
  • Serves: 6
  • Yield: 6 Croque Madames

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf of french bread
  • ½ cup Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 ½ cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 4 tablespoons butter + some for brushing onto bread
  • 4 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
  • 18 thin slices of ham
  • 6 ounces of shredded swiss cheese
  • 6 eggs

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 400F.
  • Lay the sliced of bread on a baking sheet.
  • Brush each side of each slice of bread with a little bit of melted butter.
  • Once the oven is preheated, toast the sliced of bread in the oven for about 2 minutes. Flip the bread and toast the other side for about 2 minutes. Don\'t let it burn.
  • Remove the bread from the oven and lay out six of the slices.
  • Spread on a layer of mustard, 1 oz of cheese, 2 pieces of ham, and a top slice of bread.
  • Place the sandwiches back onto the baking sheet.
  • In a sauce pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the flour and whisk until smooth and golden colored.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk and raise the heat just a little and whisk until the sauce starts to thicken.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Once it starts to thicken, remove it from the heat and add the Parmesan cheese. Whisk until the cheese melts.
  • Scoop the sauce on to the tops of the sandwiches.
  • Put the tray into the oven and turn the broiler on.
  • Broil the tops for about 4 minutes or until the cheese it hot and bubbly.
  • Fry the eggs and place one egg onto each hot sandwich. To fry the eggs, heat a pan over medium heat. Crack an egg into the center of the pan and let cook untouched for about 3-4 minutes or until the white of the egg is solid.
  • I cook my eggs with a touch of butter and a sprinkle of pepper.
  • Serve Hot.
  • Print

Croque Madame

 

 

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  1. Jessica Formicola says

    January 21, 2016 at 10:35 am

    Why yes, I want a Croque Madame! We are getting snow and going to the store tonight. If I can find all the items, I’m totally making this!

    Reply
  2. Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says

    January 21, 2016 at 11:22 am

    I actually just said to my hubby last night “OH I bet the grocery stores are a zoo!”. Gosh darn snow LOL Love this recipe – that egg on top – perfection!

    Reply
  3. Nutmeg Nanny says

    January 21, 2016 at 12:16 pm

    Ummmm I want this sandwich in my life RIGHT NOW! That delicious fried egg on top is perfection. When I go out for brunch on the weekends if I see a croque madame on the menu I almost always order it!

    Reply
  4. Lauren Kelly Nutrition says

    January 21, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    I don’t get it either, at most you’ll be snowed in for a day before the roads are cleared, why does everyone panic? With that being said, I have to go to the grocery store tomorrow to buy foods that I want to cook during the storm (I LOVE cooking in a snow storm!) This looks fantastic, now I definitely need to buy some eggs!

    Reply
  5. Erren | Erren's Kitchen says

    January 21, 2016 at 1:40 pm

    Ha! I’m from the south and that is a totally accurate representation of southerners and snow. These look so fancy and filling! What a perfect way to celebrate a snow day 🙂

    Reply
  6. Anne from Pintesting says

    January 21, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    I used to get TONS of snow when I was a Michigander, but I’m so happy to be a Floridian now. Up there the temperatures are low enough that the garage is a huge walk-in cooler, so no worries for the perishables in the fridge/freezer if the power went out. You just better have a fireplace or woodburning stove to keep warm. Thanks for the memories. 🙂
    Your recipe looks delicious! I had a tough time deciding if I should pin it to breakfast or sandwiches. . . breakfast won. Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Angie says

      January 22, 2016 at 5:51 am

      hahaha we have cousins in Michigan and we we use to visit them in the winter we thought it was so crazy that they used the trunks of their cars as “extra deep freezer space” hahahaha

      Reply
  7. Yvonne [Tried and Tasty] says

    January 21, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    Good golly miss Molly I NEED these in my life. Wowser, I would LOVE this!

    Reply
  8. [email protected] Plaid & Paisley Kitchen says

    January 21, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    People are so looney when it starts to snow! Luckily you have this amazing sandwich to fill you up and keep you warm!

    Reply
  9. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

    January 21, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    Kinda wanta very much come to brunch at YOUR house!

    Reply
  10. Lora @savoringitaly says

    January 22, 2016 at 3:29 am

    That’s so funny that milk/bread/eggs run out on storm prep for you all. For us, it’s the water!! It’s gone as soon as they announce a hurricane. But we have super hot temps with those storms, so no power, no milk and eggs for me lol. I love your egg making tips, and this sandwich is a total fave of mine!!

    Reply
  11. Renee - Kudos Kitchen says

    January 22, 2016 at 6:49 am

    Angie, That sandwich leaves me drooling. That egg, that cheese, that bread. I want it all!

    Reply
  12. Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says

    January 22, 2016 at 10:02 am

    Well, this is exactly what I want to eat if I’m ever snowed in! Seriously, I’d stock up on a battery-powered cooler and a propane stove just to eat these.

    Reply
  13. Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says

    January 22, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    Ever since I lived in Florida – hurricane prep was “Milk, Eggs, Bread, Water, Batteries, Liquor”. Even though I’m up in the path of Snowmageddon right now, in the back of the mind, I’m still thinking the same but also breaking out the slow cooker for a cozy beef stew or perhaps some short ribs – but this croque madame – girl, you had me at hello. It’s one of my absolute favorite dishes and I think might be the star of snowday brunch – before I have to shovel out from under 12+” of icy snowhell. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Maryanne @ the little epicurean says

    January 22, 2016 at 8:33 pm

    I love, love, LOVE croque madame. I order it whenever it’s on the menu. I hope you stay warm this weekend!

    Reply
  15. Paula - bell'alimento says

    January 23, 2016 at 2:47 pm

    Girl that is a perfectly cooked egg. Gorgeous. Want. Now.

    Reply
  16. Kim Beaulieu says

    January 25, 2016 at 12:01 am

    I just love this recipe. My hubby would go nuts for this. He’s a big egg guy. And a sandwich guy. So this is his two favourite worlds colliding.

    I always laugh when I see people panicking over snow. Being from Canada I just look at all the updates and go “oh that’s cute”. Ha. You think people would use their noggins and buy things that keep well, and things that don’t need refrigeration. Just in case you lose power for a few days, or a week. I buy soda, snacks, and candles. Plus charcoal for my grill, plus some steaks. Most people here stock up on beer. Ha!

    Reply
  17. Melanie | Melanie Makes says

    January 25, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    I’ve never gotten the milk and bread thing either, but I’d definitely love to hibernate with these!

    Reply
  18. Ellen Bryant says

    January 29, 2023 at 7:01 am

    Hi, isn’t it Funny, when it snows anywhere, it seems like everyone is at the store buying Milk, Eggs and Bread. Sure must be a lot of people making French Toast. LOL

    Reply

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I love the Farmer’s Market and Farm to Table meals but I’m also not ashamed to use canned vegetables and baking mixes. It’s all about balance! I’m so glad y’all are here!

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