Name: Quick and Easy Croque Monsieur
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup half-and-half (or whole milk); ½ Tbsp all-purpose flour; ½ Tbsp unsalted butter; ¼ tsp onion powder (or a small piece of onion); Pinch of salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 2 slices country white bread; Shredded Gruyère and Swiss cheese blend; Deli ham slices

A Note on This Recipe

A Croque Monsieur looks like a ham and cheese sandwich — but the béchamel sauce is what puts it in a completely different category.

That creamy layer coats the bread and melts together with the cheese as it bakes, giving you something much richer and more satisfying than your average toastie. The good news is you don’t need a stovetop or a block of Gruyère to make it work — this version uses a quick microwave béchamel and an easy cheese blend, and it comes together in about 25 minutes. Add a fried egg on top and it becomes a Croque Madame, which is an easy upgrade worth knowing about.

How to Make It

Microwave Béchamel Sauce

In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together all béchamel sauce ingredients except the butter until smooth and lump-free. Add the butter and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir thoroughly, then return to the microwave and cook for another 20–30 seconds. Stir vigorously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Note: This microwave method works well for small amounts. For larger batches, the stovetop method is recommended for optimal results.

Spread the Béchamel

Choose bread that can hold the creamy béchamel and cheese filling without becoming soggy. White country bread is ideal, but firm brioche or sourdough works too.

Lay two slices on a flat surface and spread a generous layer of béchamel on one slice.

Assemble the Sandwich

Top with ham slices and a generous amount of the cheese blend.

Cover with the remaining bread slice, then spread another thick layer of béchamel on top and sprinkle with more cheese.

Bake & Serve

Preheat the toaster oven to 400°F (205°C). Place the sandwich on the upper rack and bake for 6–8 minutes until golden and the cheese is melted.

For extra browning on top, broil for an additional 1–2 minutes. Cut in half and serve immediately.

Optional: Croque Madame

While the sandwich bakes, prepare a fried egg. Once the Croque Monsieur is golden and the cheese melted, place the fried egg on top and serve immediately.

Breakfast for One