Looking for a new breakfast recipe? This Croque Monsieur Breakfast Bake is guaranteed to transform your mornings with just one bite!
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What is a Croque Monsieur?
A croque monsieur is a classic French ham and cheese sandwich, with "croque" meaning "crunch" and "monsieur" meaning "gentleman." First mentioned in 1891, it gained popularity in the 1900s thanks to bistro owner Michel Lunarca. Traditionally made with ham and cheese between white or brown bread, it’s baked or broiled with grated cheese and sometimes béchamel sauce, typically using gruyère cheese.
The croque madame is a variation that adds a mornay sauce (a cheese béchamel) and a fried egg on top. Now, let's transform the traditional croque monsieur into a delicious breakfast bake!
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Why You'll Love This
As a breakfast enthusiast, I often find myself in a recipe rut, sticking to quick and easy meals. However, when I crave something different, this croque monsieur breakfast bake is the perfect solution! It’s a delicious, crowd-pleasing casserole that can be made on Sundays to last the whole week. Ideal for hosting guests or holiday gatherings, it’s filling and packed with rich flavors, crispy ham, and cheesy goodness. If you’re looking for a fun and tasty breakfast option, this recipe is a must-try!
Ingredients
Here is everything you will need:
- Gluten-free bread: Sturdy base that absorbs the custard.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients and create a rich texture.
- Half and half: Adds creaminess and richness.
- Dijon mustard: Provides a tangy kick.
- Cooked ham: Offers savory, smoky notes.
- Gruyere cheese: Melts with nutty flavor.
- Smoked gouda: Adds smokiness and creaminess.
- Unsalted butter: Enhances flavor and aids browning.
- Gluten-free flour: Thickens the mixture.
- Whole milk: Contributes creaminess.
- Nutmeg: Adds warm, aromatic notes.
- Salt: Balances and enhances flavors.
- Black pepper: Introduces heat and depth.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!
Substitutions & Variations
Adjust the recipe with these tips:
- Other Additions: Add bell peppers or any preferred ingredients.
- Non Gluten-Free: Use regular all-purpose flour if desired.
Note: Substitutions beyond those listed may alter results, as this recipe hasn't been tested with them.
Equipment
In this recipe you will need; a large baking sheet, a small mixing bowl, a medium pot, and a 9"x13" baking dish.
Instructions
This croque monsieur breakfast bake reimagines the traditional sandwich for easy sharing, using bread, ham, and cheese.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cube gluten-free Schar loaf and toast it for 7-10 minutes until crisp. Let cool, then transfer to a mixing bowl. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, and Dijon mustard, then pour over the toasted bread, ensuring each cube is coated. Refrigerate for 10 minutes before proceeding.
What Kind of Ham to Use
In this breakfast bake, ham is essential for both protein and flavor. Choose thicker, homemade ham over sliced deli varieties for superior quality. Leftover holiday ham, like my simple baked ham recipe for Christmas or Easter, makes a delicious addition, perfect for using up extras in your brunch.
How to Incorporate the Ham
While the bread soaks, grease a 9"x13" baking dish. After 10 minutes, add half of the soaked bread cubes, spreading them evenly. Mix in ¼ cup of room-temperature cooked ham, distributing it evenly, as the rest will be added in the next step.
All About the Cheese
For this breakfast bake, we’re using smoked gouda alongside traditional gruyère cheese for a rich, nutty, and robust flavor blend.
Mix the cheeses in a separate bowl and sprinkle ½ cup over the bread and ham mixture. Layer with the remaining bread, liquid, ham, and another cup of cheese for a perfect bake.
Bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes until the cheese melts and the sides are crispy; cover with foil if it starts to burn. Remove from the oven but keep it on for the next step!
What Exactly Is A Béchamel?
The next step is to make a béchamel sauce, which is a step up from a roux made with butter and flour. Béchamel adds milk and spices, starting with a roux and then incorporating milk and nutmeg. From béchamel, you can create a mornay sauce by adding cheese. For an example of a dish using mornay, check out my Potato & Onion Bake recipe!
The Importance of the Béchamel
Now, let’s make the béchamel sauce! Melt butter in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Once melted, reduce to medium and whisk in gluten-free flour until thickened. Gradually add room-temperature milk while whisking to prevent the sauce from breaking. When it coats the back of a spoon, whisk in Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, then remove from heat.
Let the sauce cool slightly, then pour it over the croque monsieur breakfast bake and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 10 minutes, then broil on high for 2 minutes for a golden finish, keeping a close eye to prevent burning. Once broiled, let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Serving Suggestions
In conclusion, this Croque Monsieur Breakfast Bake is great with a side of fruit! Enjoy family-style or on individual plates.
Storage
This dish is easy to store for the week—just cover the baking dish with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. To reheat, use the oven for a crispy béchamel and cheese layer, but a microwave works well for quick mornings. Your options are endless with this dish!
FAQ
Feel free to add extra breakfast favorites.
Absolutely! This dish is great for sharing or slicing up and serving to a crowd for brunch.
Pairings
Love this recipe and want more ham ideas? Here are some favorites:
Stay tuned for more ham recipes, and let me know which one you like best!
Croque Monsieur Breakfast Bake
Course: BreakfastCuisine: FrenchDifficulty: Medium12
servings15
minutes50
minutesSave this recipe for your next brunch or holiday gathering! This delicious bake is sure to impress your guests!
Ingredients
1 loaf gluten-free bread, cut into 1" cubes
5 eggs, room temperature
¾ cup half and half
¼ cup Dijon mustard
½ cup cooked ham, cut into 2" pieces
1 ½ cups Gruyere cheese, freshly grated
1 ½ cups smoked gouda, freshly grated
¼ cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all purpose gluten-free flour
2 cups whole milk, room temperature
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spread parchment paper over a large baking sheet. Cut the bread into cubes and toast in the oven for 7-10 minutes. Allow to cool before adding to a large mixing bowl.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, and 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard. Pour over toasted bread. Use a spoon to submerge each piece of the bread in the mixture. Then, allow to sit for 10 minutes in the refrigerator.
- While the bread is soaking, grease a 9"x13" baking dish. Add half the bread and stir in ¼ cup of the ham. Use a spoon to carefully distribute.
- Combine the two cheeses in a mixing bowl and sprinkle ½ cup of the cheese blend over the top. Add the rest of the bread and remaining liquid on top. Finish with the rest of the ham and one more cup of the cheese blend.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until crispy and golden. The cheese should be melted and the sides of the bake should be crispy but not burnt. If it starts to burn, cover with foil.
- While the bake is in the oven, its time to make the béchamel. Add the butter to a medium pot and melt over medium-high heat. Once melted, reduce the heat to medium and whisk in the flour. It should begin to thicken.
- As you continue to whisk, slowly pour in the milk. At this point, the béchamel should thicken up enough where it coats the back of the spoon.
- Once all of the milk is incorporated and the béchamel has thickened to the desired consistency, whisk in the remaining dijon mustard and the seasonings.
- Then, remove form heat. Pour over the bake and top with the remaining cheese blend. Bake for 10 more minutes before boiling on high for 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on it during this time as it can quickly burn.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- If you have leftovers, cover the baking dish with foil and refrigerate up to five days.
[…] Croque Monsieur Breakfast Bake: This is a great breakfast recipe that includes ham and is a filling dish that will last you a few meals! This easy bake is quick to heat up and will definitely last you through the week! Your family will enjoy this bake as it is flavorful, cheesy, hearty, and all around just so delicious. […]