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Croque-Madame

Name: Croque-Madame
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Cuisine: Europe, French
Ingredients: 1 pound thinly sliced Gruyere cheese, divided; 16 slices sourdough bread; 1-1/2 pounds thinly sliced deli ham; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 4 to 6 tablespoons mayonnaise; EGGS:; 2 tablespoons butter; 8 large eggs; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper

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Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Apr. 24, 2022

My son and I love having a croque-madame (a fried egg atop our grilled ham and cheese) for lunch. If eggs aren't your favorite, you can make the sandwich without it (which makes it a croque-monsieur). —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada

Croque-Madame Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

1 pound thinly sliced Gruyere cheese, divided
16 slices sourdough bread
1-1/2 pounds thinly sliced deli ham
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 to 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
EGGS:
2 tablespoons butter
8 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Place half of the cheese on 8 bread slices; top with ham and remaining bread. Spread outsides of sandwiches with softened butter.
On a griddle, toast sandwiches over medium heat 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Spread tops with mayonnaise; top with remaining cheese. Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet; bake 4-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Meanwhile, for eggs, heat 1 tablespoon butter on griddle over medium-high heat. Break 4 eggs, 1 at a time, onto griddle. Reduce heat to low. Cook to desired doneness, turning after whites are set if desired. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place eggs over sandwiches. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Croque-Madame Tips

What does croque-madame mean?

Croque-madame refers to the famous hot ham and cheese sandwich served with an egg on top. The egg is said the resemble a woman’s hat

Where does croque-madame come from?

Croque-madame comes from France.

What is the difference between a croque-monsieur and madame?

The difference between croque-monsieur and croque-madame is that croque-madame is topped with an egg on top. Both are hot ham and cheese sandwiches. Research contributed by Sarah Fischer, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

1 sandwich: 758 calories, 47g fat (24g saturated fat), 344mg cholesterol, 1691mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 46g protein.