This Croque Madame combines a silky béchamel cheese sauce, lean Canadian bacon, and Swiss cheese tucked between thick slices of crusty bread, finished with a fried egg on top. Rich enough for dinner and elegant enough for brunch, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare at home.
On my first trip to France I lived on bread, butter, and every pastry that crossed my path. It was glorious. To balance out all that carbs I also fell for the classic Croque Madame — a toasted ham-and-cheese sandwich enriched with béchamel and crowned with a fried egg. The French name sounds fancy, but the idea is straightforward: ham (or Canadian bacon), melted cheese, smooth sauce, and a runny egg.
Although the traditional recipe calls for ham and Gruyère, this version swaps in Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese to keep things simple and budget-friendly. If you have high-quality ham and Gruyère on hand, feel free to use those instead for a more authentic flavor.
Ingredients needed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 thick slices crusty bread
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 8 slices Canadian bacon (or sliced ham)
- 2 large eggs, fried
How to make a Croque Madame
This sandwich is quick to assemble and bakes to a bubbling, golden finish. Follow the steps below for a reliably delicious result.
- Preheat the broiler and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
- Make the béchamel: melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth and free of lumps.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, cooking until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese, thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Spread each slice of bread with Dijon mustard and about 1 tablespoon of the cheese sauce.
- On two slices, layer four slices of Canadian bacon and 2 tablespoons of shredded Swiss cheese on each.
- Place those two slices on the prepared baking sheet and broil until the cheese melts, browns, and becomes bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, top each with the remaining bread (sauce side down). Spoon the remaining béchamel over the top of each sandwich and sprinkle with the remaining shredded Swiss cheese.
- Return to the broiler until the topping is melted and golden. Top each sandwich with a fried egg and serve immediately.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Canadian bacon is lean and satisfying, but thinly sliced deli ham works well if you prefer a classic touch.
- Swiss cheese keeps this recipe affordable; swap in Gruyère for a nuttier, more authentic taste.
- The béchamel can be made up to 24 hours ahead and reheated gently before assembling the sandwiches.
- Leave off the fried egg to make a Croque Monsieur — still delicious and easier to eat on the go.
More egg recipes
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Bruschetta Baked Eggs
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Breakfast Stuffed Mushrooms
Croque Madame
A decadent, comforting sandwich layered with béchamel, Swiss cheese, Canadian bacon, and topped with a fried egg. Ideal for brunch or a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 thick slices bread
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 8 slices Canadian bacon
- 2 large eggs, fried
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner and set aside.
- In a 12-inch skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour until smooth and free of lumps.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and continue whisking until the mixture thickens.
- Remove from heat and whisk in 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, thyme, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Spread each slice of bread with Dijon mustard and about 1 tablespoon of the cheese sauce.
- Top two slices with four slices of Canadian bacon and 2 tablespoons shredded Swiss cheese each.
- Place those slices on the prepared baking pan and broil until the cheese melts, browns, and becomes bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, top with the remaining bread (sauce side down), spoon the remaining béchamel over each sandwich, and sprinkle with the remaining shredded Swiss cheese.
- Return to the broiler until the cheese is fully melted and golden. Top each sandwich with a fried egg and serve.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving — Calories: 782 kcal — Carbohydrates: 17 g — Protein: 50 g — Fat: 57 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Course: Sandwiches
Cuisine: French