Croque Monsieur Pie: A Savory French Twist on Comfort Food Recipe
Croque Monsieur Pie is a delightful French-inspired savory pie that combines layers of diced ham, shredded Gruyère cheese, and creamy béchamel sauce inside a buttery pie crust. This comforting dish elevates the classic Croque Monsieur sandwich into an easy-to-slice pie, perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
For the Pie Crust
- 1 pre-made or homemade pie crust
- 1 egg (for brushing)
For the Filling
- 2 cups diced ham
- 1½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- Sautéed mushrooms or onions for extra depth
- Crumbled bacon for added smokiness
Instructions
- Prepare the Béchamel Sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour to form a roux and cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Gradually add the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens. Stir in the Dijon mustard, pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Pie: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a pie dish with the pie crust and brush the crust edges with the beaten egg to help seal later. Layer the diced ham evenly over the crust, then sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese on top. Carefully pour the prepared béchamel sauce over the ham and cheese layers.
- Bake the Pie: You can either cover the pie with a second crust, sealing the edges by pressing them together and brushing with egg wash, or leave it open-faced. Place the pie dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Once baked, let the pie cool slightly to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can prepare the pie crust from scratch or use a store-bought one for convenience.
- Optional add-ins like sautéed mushrooms, onions, or crumbled bacon can add extra flavor and texture.
- If leaving the pie open-faced, consider sprinkling some extra cheese on top for a golden crust.
- Allow the pie to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing to maintain clean cuts.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in an oven for best results.
