Croque Madame – The Ultimate French Breakfast Sandwich

A rich and indulgent French bistro classic, the Croque Madame is a crispy toasted sandwich layered with ham and melty cheese, smothered in creamy béchamel sauce, and topped with a perfectly runny fried egg. It’s the ultimate brunch indulgence that’s surprisingly easy to make at home!

Ingredients
For the Sandwich:
4 slices of thick-cut bread (brioche or sourdough)
4 oz ham (thinly sliced)
4 slices Gruyère or Swiss cheese
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
For the Béchamel Sauce:
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
½ cup whole milk
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Topping:
2 large eggs
1 tbsp butter (for frying)
Fresh parsley, chopped
Black pepper, to taste
How to Make
1. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce: