Croque Madame

Last updated: 15th Aug 2026

Croque Madame is the egg-topped version of Croque Monsieur. It keeps the same hot ham and cheese sandwich base, but finishes it with a fried egg for extra richness and a more substantial lunch.

This version uses mature cheddar instead of Gruyère so it stays easy to shop for in UK supermarkets, while still giving a strong savoury flavour. Dijon mustard sharpens the béchamel without complicating the ingredient list.

Serve it hot with a green salad, tomato soup or a few cornichons. It also works well as a filling self-catering ski lunch when you want something quick, warm and comforting.

Ingredients

Method

1. Melt 20g of the butter in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Stir in the plain flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
2. Gradually whisk in the milk a little at a time. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, whisking regularly, until the sauce is smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, 60g of the mature cheddar and a little black pepper until the cheese has melted.
4. Heat the grill to high. Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread with the remaining 10g butter.
5. Place two slices butter-side down on a baking tray. Divide the ham and 40g of the mature cheddar between them, then top with the remaining bread, butter-side facing up.
6. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes until the tops are golden, then carefully turn the sandwiches and grill the second side for another 2 minutes.
7. Turn the sandwiches back over. Spoon the béchamel over the tops and scatter over the remaining 40g mature cheddar. Return to the grill for 2 to 4 minutes until the topping is bubbling and deeply golden.
8. Meanwhile, heat a small frying pan over a medium heat and fry the eggs to your liking.
9. Place a fried egg on top of each sandwich and serve immediately.

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