Oven-Baked Croque with Béchamel Sauce (Gratinated)
Ingredients
- 800 g white sandwich bread
- 600 g cooked ham (turkey or beef ham)
- 600 g grated cheese (Emmental or Gruyère)
- 120 g butter
- 120 g all-purpose flour
- 1 liter warm milk
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the béchamel sauce
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour and whisk for 1–2 minutes without browning.
- Gradually pour in the warm milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.
- Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Remove from heat.
Assemble the croque
- Grease a baking dish with butter.
- Arrange a layer of sandwich bread at the bottom.
- Spread a layer of béchamel sauce.
- Add slices of cooked ham.
- Sprinkle some grated cheese.
- Cover with another layer of bread.
Top and gratinate
- Spread the remaining béchamel sauce evenly on top.
- Generously sprinkle with grated cheese.
Bake
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- For extra browning, turn on the broiler for the last 5 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot with:
- A fresh green salad
- Or French fries
