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Tomato Croque Monsieur Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 147 reviews

This Tomato Croque Monsieur is a delicious twist on the classic French sandwich, featuring a rich tomato-infused béchamel sauce, layers of melted Gruyère, mozzarella, prosciutto, and fresh basil leaves, all baked to golden perfection. It’s a comforting and savory dish perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Béchamel Sauce

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 ¼ tbsp flour
  • 2.5 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 ¼ cup warmed milk (plus optional ¼ cup for thinning)
  • 1 tbsp salsa macha
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
  • 2 tbsp chives

Sandwich Components

  • 8 slices thick bread
  • 4–8 slices prosciutto
  • 8 oz Gruyère, shredded (or to taste)
  • 6 oz mozzarella, grated
  • 4 oz Parmesan, grated (or to taste)
  • Basil leaves to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the roux: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
  2. Add tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2-3 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  3. Whisk in milk: Gradually pour in the warmed milk while whisking continuously. Cook on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. If too thick, add up to ¼ cup more milk to reach desired consistency.
  4. Season the sauce: Add garlic powder, chives, salsa macha, and salt to taste. Stir well and remove from heat once combined.
  5. Prepare base layer: Spread half of the tomato béchamel sauce evenly over 4 slices of bread. Sprinkle half the grated mozzarella over the sauce.
  6. Add prosciutto and cheese: Place 1-2 slices of prosciutto on top of the mozzarella. Then add half of the shredded Gruyère cheese and scatter fresh basil leaves over it.
  7. Top the sandwiches: Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top of each prepared piece. Spread the remaining tomato béchamel sauce evenly on the top slices.
  8. Add final cheese layer: Sprinkle the remaining Gruyère, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese generously over the top of the sandwiches.
  9. Bake and broil: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Bake the assembled sandwiches on a baking sheet for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Then broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is golden and slightly crisp.

Notes

  • You can adjust the thickness of the béchamel by adding extra milk if needed.
  • Salsa macha adds a unique spicy and smoky flavor; feel free to reduce or omit if you prefer a milder taste.
  • Using thick bread slices is essential to hold the fillings and sauce without becoming soggy.
  • Watch closely during the broil step to prevent burning the cheese.
  • Fresh basil adds brightness and can be substituted with fresh spinach or arugula.

Keywords: Croque Monsieur, Tomato béchamel, Gruyère sandwich, French sandwich, baked sandwich, prosciutto sandwich

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/tomato-croque-monsieur-recipe/