Best 2 Croque Monsieur Casserole Recipes

Croque monsieur casserole, a deliciously savory and satisfying dish, is a variation of the classic French croque monsieur sandwich. This casserole combines the richness of a béchamel sauce, the crunch of toasted bread, and the gooeyness of melted cheese, creating a tempting and comforting meal. Whether served for brunch, lunch, or dinner, croque monsieur casserole is a delightful dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. Its ease of preparation and versatility make it a perfect choice for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

CROQUE-MONSIEUR BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Croque-Monsieur Breakfast Casserole image

This French classic needs little introduction, but if you haven't had it in baked form, you're in for a treat. Think upscale ham sandwiches drenched in egg custard and cheese, melted to a deep golden-brown. There are no tricks here, save for the addition of two extra yolks for maximum French-toast tenderness. Serve it warm, or at room temperature - a fitting breakfast feast that's welcome any time of the day.

Provided by Sarah Copeland

Categories breakfast, brunch, easy, casseroles, main course

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for the pan
1 (10- to 12-ounce) day-old or stale baguette, sliced 1/2 inches thick
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
6 ounces French-style or thin-sliced deli ham
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups half-and-half or heavy cream
4 large eggs
2 egg yolks
Freshly ground black pepper
3 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
1 ounce finely grated Parmesan cheese (packed 1/4 cup)
Parsley, leaves torn, mustard, and cornichons, for serving (optional)

Steps:

Heat oven to 325 degrees and generously butter a 9-by-13-inch (or 1 1/2- to 2-quart) baking pan. Butter the slices of bread on one side and spread a thin layer of mustard on the other side. Arrange, shingled, over the bottom of the pan, buttered side up; you may not need all the bread. Drape evenly with ham.
Whisk together milk, half-and-half, egg, egg yolks and pepper. Pour evenly over the bread and ham. Sprinkle with Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses, allowing the ham to peek out in places. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes (for the bread to sop up the milk) or up to overnight. Bake until the custard is set, and the bread and cheese are golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to set 20 minutes before scattering evenly with parsley. Scoop and serve warm or at room temperature, with mustard and cornichons.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 400, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 20 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 761 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CROQUE MONSIEUR CASSEROLE

CROQUE MONSIEUR CASSEROLE image

Categories Bake Dinner

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 lb sliced deli ham
I use Sara Lee honey ham
2 c Gruyere cheese
Can use half Gruyere and half mozz if Gruyere is too expensive
Fresh sourdough loaf, unsliced when purchased
Slice loaf into thin slices (1/2" or less)
3 tsp unsalted butter
1/3 c flour
3 c milk
½ c beer
1 or 2 fresh lemons
Lea and Perrins (light and dark)
Fresh grated nutmeg
Salt and pepper
Tony's

Steps:

Melt butter over low heat. Add flour and mix w/ wisk for 2 min. Gradually add 2 ¾ c milk, continuing to wisk briskly. When sauce boils, season w/ salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add ½ cup of Gruyere. Season to taste. I always use lots of lemon juice (usually most if not all the juice from one whole lemon), Tony's, more nutmeg, a dash or 2 of dark Lea and Perrins and a slightly larger amount of white Lea and Perrins. Make sure the finished sauce is thin enough. If it's thick like gravy, thin it out a little with milk - you want to have plenty of sauce and you want it to seep into the bread some. Combine ¼ c milk and beer in a bowl. Add the remaining Gruyere to this liquid. Soak for 2 min, then drain. Spread some sauce on bottom of lasagna pan. Layer with bread/sauce/ham/sauce/beer-soaked cheese. This should make 3 layers, finishing with cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes and then broil until top is golden. You can make ahead and refrigerate before baking, in which case you need 45-60 min cooking time. Leftovers also microwave pretty decently.

Tips:

Choose high-quality ingredients: Use fresh, flavorful ingredients for the best results. Consider using artisanal or homemade bread, high-quality ham and cheese, and creamy béchamel sauce.

Don't overcrowd the casserole dish: Make sure there is enough space between the bread slices so that they can cook evenly and absorb the sauce.

Bake the casserole until the cheese is melted and bubbly: This will ensure that the casserole is cooked through and the cheese is gooey and delicious.

Serve immediately: Croque Monsieur casserole is best served hot and fresh out of the oven. Garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika for added flavor.

Experiment with different variations: There are many ways to customize this recipe to your liking. Try using different types of bread, ham, and cheese. You can also add other ingredients to the casserole, such as sautéed mushrooms, roasted bell peppers, or chopped spinach.

Conclusion:

Croque Monsieur casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a great way to use up leftover ham and bread, and it is also a great option for a potluck or party. With its creamy béchamel sauce, melted cheese, and crispy bread, Croque Monsieur casserole is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.