Casserole Croque Monsieur
This casserole twist on the classic French Croque Monsieur layers halal turkey ham, rich béchamel sauce, and Gruyère cheese between thick-cut bread, baked to creamy, crispy perfection. Great for brunch or cozy dinners.
Equipment
- Baking Dish
- Saucepan
- Whisk
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large baguette or brioche loaf cut into thick slices
- 200 g halal turkey ham or chicken deli slices
- 1.5 cups shredded Gruyère cheese or a mix of Gruyère and mozzarella
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
Béchamel Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
- salt and pepper to taste
Custard
- 4 large eggs
- 0.75 cup heavy cream or full-fat milk
- chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make the béchamel: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, cooking until thickened. Stir in mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Layer it up: Grease a baking dish. Layer half the bread, then half the turkey ham, half the cheese, and a bit of béchamel. Repeat layers, finishing with béchamel and remaining cheese.
- Make the custard: Whisk eggs with cream and a pinch of salt. Pour evenly over the dish and gently press down the bread.
- Chill time (optional): Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbling. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, replace the turkey with sautéed mushrooms. For extra crisp, broil for 2 minutes at the end. Great make-ahead dish for brunch or holidays.