Croque Madame

A classic French ham and cheese sandwich elevated by its creamy béchamel sauce and crispy golden exterior, crowned with a perfectly fried egg. The nutty Gruyère melts luxuriously between toasted bread while the runny yolk adds silky richness to every bite. Perfect for an impressive lunch or casual dinner when you want something indulgent yet surprisingly quick.

Ingredients

4 (1/2-inch-thick) good-quality firm white sandwich bread slices

3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened, divided

1 tbsp all-purpose flour

3/4 cup whole milk

4 oz Gruyère cheese, grated (about 1 cup), divided

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp black pepper, plus more for garnish

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

4 slices cooked unsmoked ham (3 oz total)

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

2 large eggs

Chopped fresh chives

Flaky sea salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to broil with rack about 8 inches from heat source. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Spread 1 side of bread slices evenly with 1 tbsp of the butter. Place bread slices, buttered side down, in skillet; cook until toasted and golden, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer bread to a work surface. Wipe skillet clean.

Melt 1 tbsp of the butter in a small saucepan over medium until foamy. Whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, until light golden, about 1 minute 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in milk; bring to a simmer over medium, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to low; cook, whisking often, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 1/4 cup of the grated Gruyère and whisk until melted. Stir salt, pepper, and nutmeg into the Mornay sauce.

Arrange 2 of the bread slices on a work surface, toasted side down. On each slice, spread 2 tbsp Mornay sauce evenly to cover the surface. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated Gruyère, and top with 2 ham slices. Spread mustard evenly on untoasted sides of remaining 2 bread slices; place, mustard side down, on top of ham-topped slices. Spread remaining Mornay sauce evenly on top of sandwiches, then top with remaining 1/4 cup grated Gruyère.

Transfer sandwiches to a rimmed baking sheet, and broil in preheated oven until cheese has melted and top is bubbly and browning in spots, 5 to 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt remaining 1 tbsp butter in cleaned nonstick skillet over medium-high. Crack eggs into skillet; cook, undisturbed, until whites are set but yolks are runny, about 3 minutes.

Top each sandwich with a fried egg; garnish with chives, flaky sea salt, and additional pepper.