20 min

Croque Madame

Name: Croque Madame
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4.00 slices White bread or wholemeal bread; 2.00 slices Superior Cooked Ham Label Rouge; 1.00 cup (grated) Comté PDO; x 2.00 Eggs; 5.00 oz Béchamel sauce (homemade); 30.00 g French salted butter; 1.00 oz Moutarde de Bourgogne PGI; Salt; Freshly ground black pepper

By Myriam Baya, Food blogger

Croque Madame is a classic French café dish made with toasted bread, ham, melted cheese and topped with a fried egg. Discover this iconic French sandwich recipe, perfect for brunch, lunch or an easy bistro-style meal at home.

Croque Madame is one of the most iconic dishes of French café and bistro culture, instantly recognisable for its signature fried egg on top. It is the richer variation of the world-famous Croque Monsieur, with the addition of the egg said to resemble a lady’s hat – hence the name “Madame”. The Croque Monsieur first appeared in early 20th-century Parisian cafés as a quick, hot sandwich for busy customers, and the Croque Madame followed soon after, elevating the original recipe with the addition of a fried egg.

At the heart of a great Croque Madame are a few key French ingredients. Good-quality French cooked ham – such as torchon ham or jambon de Paris – and cheeses such as Comté or Emmental de Savoie are essential. Buttered bread ensures a crisp texture, while a touch of Moutarde de Bourgogne PGI (the authentic Dijon mustard) adds gentle sharpness. Béchamel sauce is optional, but we've included it in this version as it brings an extra layer of creaminess and indulgence.

Croque Madame is often served with a simple green salad or French fries, making it a complete and satisfying plate. It perfectly illustrates the French approach to simple food done well – turning a humble sandwich into a timeless classic!

Preparation time

5 min

Ingredients For

White bread or wholemeal bread 4 slices
Superior Cooked Ham Label Rouge

2 slices See the article
Comté PDO

1 cup (grated) See the article
Eggs x 2
Béchamel sauce (homemade) 5 oz
French salted butter 30 g
Sauces & condiments

Burgundy Mustard PGI

1 oz See the article
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Preparation

Prepare the Béchamel sauce following our recipe, then set aside and keep warm.

Lightly spread the mustard over one side bread. Place a slice of ham on top, then top generously with grated cheese. Cover with the second slice of bread and butter the outside of the sandwich. Repeat for the other sandwich.

Melt a knob of butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for a few minutes on each side until golden and crisp.

Preheat your oven to the grill setting. Transfer the sandwiches to a baking tray, spread a generous layer of béchamel over the top, and grill for about 5 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Meanwhile, fry the eggs in a buttered frying pan. Season with salt and pepper, then place one egg on top of each croque and serve immediately.

Pair with

Croque Madame works beautifully with fresh, easy-drinking wines that balance its richness such as a dry white wine from Loire Valley or Burgundy. Alternatively, a light red Vin de France made from Gamay or a soft Pinot Noir can with soft tannins can also nicely complement the dish.