How to Make a Croque Madame: A Deluxe Brunch Classic
Last Saturday, we had a day completely to ourselves. We didn’t have any appointments. The weather was rainy, cloudy, and cold. We were all in our PJs and had all the time to make lunch. The boys wanted a grilled cheese sandwich. And I decided to make a deluxe version, a croque madame, for Tom and me.
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What is a Croque Madame?
A croque madame is a grilled cheese sandwich with a delicious cheese and white sauce layer topped off with a sunny-side-up egg.
First, you make a roux, add some herbs, pepper, and salt, and then make a white sauce (or bechamel sauce). Then you make a normal grilled cheese sandwich, and top it off with the sauce and cheese, but don’t bake it in the pan, you’ll bake it in the oven.
While the croque madame is baked in the oven you’ll make a fried egg. After the sandwich is baked, and the cheese is golden brown (yum!) you put the fried egg with the sunny-side-up on top of the sandwich. De-li-cious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: With basic pantry staples like bread, cheese, milk, and eggs, you can create a restaurant-worthy dish in your own kitchen.
- Perfect Comfort Food: The creamy white sauce, gooey cheese, and runny yolk combine to make every bite rich, satisfying, and perfect for cozy days.
- Impress with Minimal Effort: It looks and tastes fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy to make—perfect for brunch, lunch, or even a special breakfast!
French or Belgian Croque Madame?
While the Croque Madame is often associated with French cuisine, apparently its origins are a point of friendly debate between France and Belgium. Both countries take pride in their versions of this delicious grilled cheese dish.
In France, the croque madame is covered in a white sauce covered with Gruyere cheese. It’s a staple in bistros and cafés and is often served with a side of green salad. Belgium, on the other hand, sometimes twists it by adding local cheeses or pairing it with fries.
What is the Difference Between Croque Madame and Croque Monsieur?
The key difference between these deluxe grilled cheese sandwiches is how the egg is incorporated. For a croque monsieur, the bread is dipped in beaten egg before cooking, while a croque madame is topped with a fried egg after baking.
Want to see how I make these delicious Croque Madame sandwiches? Watch my video on YouTube!
The latest on Youtube:
What You Need to Make a Croque Madame
Materials
- Small pot
- Wooden spoon
- Kitchen scale
- Cheese grater
- Baking tray
- Oven
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 4 slices of white bread
- 4 slices of ham
- 150 grams of Gruyère cheese
- 15 grams of unsalted butter
- 15 grams of all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cups or 160 ml of milk
- Salt, pepper, herbs (optional)
How to Make a Croque Madame
First, preheat your oven to 356 °F or 180 °C.
Make a roux by melting the unsalted butter in a small pot over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the all-purpose flour and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula.
Let it bake for a few minutes then add the pepper, salt, and, if you like, herbs.
I love to add provencal herbs like rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano, marjoram, and savory.
Add the milk gradually, waiting for the roux to fully absorb each addition before pouring in more. Be sure to check my blogpost about how to make a roux for more information.
When your sauce is ready, take your bread slices and add a few tablespoons of sauce to two slices. Grate the cheese.
Cover the bottom bread slices with the ham, and half of the cheese, cover with the top breadslice and put them on your baking tray and cover with the remaining sauce and cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
While the sandwiches are baked, make a fried egg, sunny-side-up, and serve this on top of your grilled cheese sandwich. Enjoy!
A Few Other Varieties
- Spicy Variety: Add a thin layer of spicy mustard or a dash of chili flakes to the béchamel sauce for a zesty twist.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the ham for sautéed spinach, roasted mushrooms, or grilled zucchini for a veggie-packed version.
- Super Deluxe: Use truffle oil in the béchamel or top the sandwich with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and fresh herbs like chives or parsley.
Croque Madame
With this recipe, you'll make two delicious Croque Madame Sandwiches. Perfect for a deluxe brunch or lunch.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of white bread
- 4 slices of ham
- 150 grams of Gruyère cheese
- 15 grams of unsalted butter
- 15 grams of all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cups or 160 ml of milk
- Salt, pepper, herbs (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 356 °F (180 °C).
2. Make the Béchamel Sauce:
- Melt the butter in a small pot over medium heat.
- Once melted, add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula to form a roux.
- Let the roux cook for 2-3 minutes, then season with salt, pepper, and Herbes de Provence, if desired.
- Gradually add the milk, a little at a time, allowing the roux to fully absorb each addition before adding more. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
3. Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Place two slices of bread on a baking tray.
- Spread a few tablespoons of the béchamel sauce on each slice.
- Layer the ham and half of the grated cheese on top of the sauce.
- Cover with the remaining bread slices and top with more béchamel sauce and the rest of the cheese.
4. Bake:
Bake the sandwiches in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
5. Prepare the Fried Eggs:
While the sandwiches are baking, fry two eggs sunny-side-up in a pan.
6. Serve:
Once the sandwiches are ready, place a fried egg on top of each one. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Tip: For more details on making a perfect roux, check out my blog post!
