Indulge in French Comfort: The Ultimate Open-Faced Croque Monsieur Recipe with Martin’s Butter Bread

Experience the classic French bistro favorite with a delightful twist! This Open-Faced Croque Monsieur features savory sliced ham, rich Gruyère cheese, a hint of Dijon mustard, and a creamy, luscious Béchamel sauce, all served gloriously open-face on soft, tender Martin’s Old Fashioned Real Butter Bread. A perfect blend of tradition and effortless elegance for any meal.

As the festive season winds down and we ease back into the rhythm of daily life, it’s easy to fall into a routine of simple, perhaps even boring, meals. But stepping away from the celebratory spreads doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or flavor. Especially when the weather outside is still chilly, our palates often crave something warm, satisfying, and reminiscent of home. Today, we’re embracing that craving with an exquisite dish that effortlessly combines sophistication with heartwarming simplicity: the Open-Faced Croque Monsieur.

The traditional Croque Monsieur, a staple in French cafés, is a gloriously simple yet incredibly satisfying grilled or baked ham and cheese sandwich, typically enhanced with a creamy Béchamel sauce. It’s the epitome of French comfort food, revered for its rich flavors and delightful textures. Our rendition puts a slight, yet significant, twist on this classic, transforming it into an “open-faced” masterpiece that is not only visually appealing but also allows each ingredient to shine even brighter.

The Perfect Foundation: Martin’s Old Fashioned Real Butter Bread

This post is proudly sponsored by Martin’s.

Crafting the perfect Croque Monsieur begins with selecting the right bread, and for this recipe, we are thrilled to collaborate with Martin’s. Their Martin’s Old Fashioned Real Butter Bread is precisely what this elevated ham and cheese sandwich demands. Its unparalleled softness and tender crumb provide an ideal foundation, allowing it to toast beautifully without becoming overly crisp or dry. This bread perfectly marries the nostalgic taste of classic butter bread with the high-quality ingredients discerning cooks expect today.

What sets Martin’s Butter Bread apart is its commitment to quality: it’s made with 100% real butter, without any other oils or shortcuts. This dedication translates into a rich, buttery flavor that permeates every bite of our Croque Monsieur. Furthermore, it’s crafted with high-protein wheat flour, nonfat milk, real cane sugar, and a selection of other premium ingredients, ensuring both delightful taste and a product you can feel good about serving your family. It truly brings back those cherished childhood memories of simple, wholesome deliciousness, making every meal a comforting experience.

Why an Open-Faced Croque Monsieur?

While the traditional Croque Monsieur is undeniably delicious, serving it open-faced offers several advantages. Firstly, it ensures every ingredient gets perfectly toasted and melted under the broiler, creating beautiful golden-brown edges and a bubbling, irresistible top layer of cheese and sauce. This presentation is also far more elegant, turning a simple sandwich into a visually stunning dish perfect for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner. Moreover, by removing the top slice of bread, you get a direct encounter with the creamy Béchamel, the savory ham, and the gooey Gruyère in every single forkful, enhancing the flavor experience immensely.

Martin’s has been a trusted name in baking for over 60 years, establishing itself as a beloved staple in countless households. Their commitment to baking excellence and family values shines through in every product. Meals shared over quality bread and comforting food are often the catalyst for creating lasting memories and strengthening family bonds. These Open-Faced Croque Monsieur sandwiches, built upon the foundation of Martin’s tender butter bread, are designed to do just that – bring everyone around the table for a shared moment of culinary delight. The way the bread subtly crisps, the cheese melts into a golden blanket, the tangy Béchamel sauce envelops the salty ham – it’s a truly magical combination that speaks directly to the soul.

Effortless Elegance: An Easy Weeknight Dinner or Weekend Brunch

Despite its sophisticated appearance and gourmet taste, this Croque Monsieur recipe is remarkably straightforward and quick to prepare. It’s an excellent option for a busy weeknight dinner when you need something comforting yet fuss-free, or a relaxed weekend brunch. The simplicity of assembly means it’s a fantastic recipe to involve children or other family members in the kitchen, making meal prep a fun, shared activity. Baking the sandwiches in the oven ensures the cheese achieves a perfect bubbly, golden melt, while the bread develops a delightfully crisp edge, transforming humble ingredients into something truly special. This recipe proves that exceptional flavor doesn’t have to be complicated.

Mastering the Components: Ingredients for Success

Each element of our Open-Faced Croque Monsieur plays a crucial role in creating its irresistible flavor profile. Understanding these components will help you achieve perfection:

The Bread: Martin’s Old Fashioned Real Butter Bread

As highlighted, the foundation is key. Martin’s Butter Bread offers the ideal balance of structure and softness, allowing it to hold up to the sauce and toppings while toasting beautifully. Its inherent buttery notes enhance the richness of the entire dish.

The Ham: Quality Matters

Opt for a good quality, thinly sliced ham. A nice deli ham, perhaps Black Forest or honey-cured, will provide a delicious salty counterpoint to the creamy cheese and sauce. Avoid overly thick slices, as they can overwhelm the sandwich.

The Cheese: Gruyère is King

Gruyère cheese is traditional for a reason. This semi-hard, yellow Swiss cheese boasts a nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor profile that melts beautifully, creating a wonderfully gooey texture. Its distinct taste is integral to the authentic Croque Monsieur experience. If Gruyère is unavailable, good quality Swiss cheese can be a suitable substitute.

The Béchamel Sauce: The Creamy Heart

A classic French Béchamel sauce is what elevates this from a simple ham and cheese toastie to a Croque Monsieur. Made from a simple roux of butter and flour, slowly whisked with milk, it becomes a velvety, luxurious sauce. Our recipe enhances this with a touch of Dijon mustard and a hint of ground nutmeg, which are classic additions that provide depth and a subtle warmth, respectively. Don’t skip the nutmeg – it makes a surprising difference!

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Delicious Open-Faced Croque Monsieur

Making this dish is straightforward. Here’s how to assemble your culinary masterpiece:

Yield: 4 servings

Open Faced Croque Monsieur

Indulge in French comfort with this easy Open-Faced Croque Monsieur recipe, featuring savory ham, melted Gruyère cheese, and a rich Béchamel sauce on tender Martin’s Old Fashioned Real Butter Bread. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or elegant brunch.

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
20 minutes

Total Time
30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Sandwiches:

4 slices Martin’s Old Fashioned Real Butter Bread
8-12 slices good quality ham (deli-style, thinly sliced)
4 slices Gruyère cheese (or 1/2 cup grated Gruyère)

For the Béchamel Sauce:

2 Tbls unsalted butter
2 Tbls all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even cooking and melting.
Prepare the Béchamel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to create a roux. Cook the roux, whisking constantly, for 3-5 minutes until it turns a light golden color and becomes bubbly. This cooks out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Stir in 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard, 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to a luscious consistency.
Assemble the Sandwiches: Place 4 slices of Martin’s Old Fashioned Real Butter Bread in a single layer on a baking dish or sheet. Spread approximately 2 tablespoons of the prepared Béchamel sauce evenly over each slice of bread, extending almost to the edges. Layer 2-3 slices of good quality ham on top of the sauce on each slice of bread. Place a slice of Gruyère cheese (or sprinkle grated Gruyère) over the ham. Finally, spoon any remaining Béchamel sauce over the cheese on each sandwich for an extra creamy finish.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the Gruyère cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, and the edges of the Martin’s bread are starting to crisp up. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Serve Immediately: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot. Enjoy the delightful blend of textures and flavors!

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

4 Servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 931Total Fat 30gSaturated Fat 14gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 189mgSodium 2465mgCarbohydrates 63gFiber 2gSugar 9gProtein 63g

Tips for the Best Open-Faced Croque Monsieur

Grate Your Own Cheese: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, grating your own Gruyère often results in a better melt and flavor.
Quality Ham: Invest in good quality ham from the deli counter. The flavor truly shines through.
Smooth Béchamel: Whisk diligently when making the sauce to prevent lumps. If lumps do form, a quick pass through a fine-mesh sieve can smooth it out.
Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the oven. You want melted, bubbly cheese and lightly toasted bread, not burnt edges.
Serve Immediately: Croque Monsieur is best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the cheese is still gooey and the bread is perfectly warm.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

This Open-Faced Croque Monsieur is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple accompaniments:

Green Salad: A crisp, lightly dressed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the sandwich.
Pickles: Cornichons or other pickled vegetables can cut through the richness and cleanse the palate.
Tomato Soup: A classic pairing, especially on a cold day, for ultimate comfort.

Feeling adventurous? Here are some delicious variations:

Croque Madame: Top your baked Open-Faced Croque Monsieur with a perfectly fried or poached egg for an even more indulgent experience, often referred to as a “Croque Madame.”
Caramelized Onions: Add a layer of sweet caramelized onions beneath the ham for an extra layer of flavor.
Herbs: Fresh thyme or chives sprinkled before baking can add an aromatic touch.
Spice: A pinch of cayenne pepper in the Béchamel can introduce a subtle kick.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

While Open-Faced Croque Monsieur is best enjoyed fresh, you might have leftovers. Here’s how to handle them:

Storage: Allow any leftover sandwiches to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Reheating: To reheat, place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is re-melted. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bread soggy and the cheese rubbery.

Did you make this recipe?

We’d love to see your creations! Please leave a comment on the blog below, or share a picture of your delightful Open-Faced Croque Monsieur on social media and tag us!

**This post is sponsored by Martin’s. I was compensated for my time to create this recipe and share my genuine experience. All thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% my own and reflect my true enjoyment of their products.

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