Decadent Croque Monsieur Casserole layers buttery bread, ham, Gruyère, and béchamel for a comforting French meal.
# What You Need:
→ Bread & Dairy
01 - 12 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (plus extra for greasing)
03 - 1 1/2 cups Gruyère cheese, grated (or Swiss cheese)
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 3 large eggs
→ Meats
07 - 8 slices cooked ham (about 7 ounces)
→ Béchamel Sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
10 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 1 1/4 cups milk, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth (about 3–4 minutes). Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Arrange half the bread, buttered side down, in the prepared dish. Top with half the ham slices and half the Gruyère. Repeat layers with remaining bread (buttered side down), ham, and cheese.
04 - Whisk together eggs, 1 cup milk, cream, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Pour evenly over the casserole, pressing gently to soak the bread.
05 - Pour the béchamel sauce over the top and spread evenly.
06 - Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until puffed, golden, and bubbling. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
