Print

Easy Cheesy Croque Madame Casserole Recipe with Ham and Gruyere Perfect for Breakfast

Easy Cheesy Croque Madame Casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting and easy-to-make casserole inspired by the classic French Croque Madame, featuring layers of ham, Gruyere cheese, and creamy béchamel sauce, topped with a perfectly cooked egg.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups cubed day-old white bread (preferably crusty French or sourdough)
  • 8 ounces sliced ham (thick-cut or honey-glazed; smoked ham optional)
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk (warmed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 large eggs
  • Fresh thyme leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Prepare the béchamel sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted and bubbling, whisk in the 1/4 cup all-purpose flour. Keep whisking constantly for about 2 minutes until pale golden but not brown.
  3. Slowly add the warmed milk in a steady stream while whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cubed bread and sliced ham. Pour about 2 cups of the béchamel sauce over the mixture and gently toss until bread cubes are evenly coated.
  5. Spread half of the bread and ham mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Gruyere and half the Parmesan over the layer. Add the remaining bread and ham mixture on top, then pour the remaining béchamel sauce evenly over everything.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining Gruyere and Parmesan on top. Cover the baking dish loosely with foil.
  7. Bake for 25 minutes covered, then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
  8. While the casserole bakes, cook the eggs sunny-side up or over-easy in a lightly buttered skillet. Each serving gets one egg on top.
  9. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Top each portion with a cooked egg, garnish with fresh thyme leaves if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Use day-old crusty bread to avoid sogginess. Warm the milk before adding to the roux for a smoother béchamel. If béchamel is too thick, whisk in a splash more milk. Cook eggs last-minute for best texture. You can swap ham for turkey or chicken, and Gruyere for Swiss or mozzarella blends. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread and flour substitutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Croque Madame, casserole, breakfast casserole, ham and cheese, Gruyere, béchamel sauce, easy breakfast, brunch recipe

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/easy-cheesy-croque-madame-casserole-recipe-with-ham-and-gruyere-perfect-for-breakfast/