Nigella Croque Monsieur Bake

This easy Croque Monsieur Bake is a simple and delicious breakfast or brunch dish. It’s made with mustard-spread bread, Gruyère cheese, and ham, then soaked in a rich egg mixture overnight. In the morning, just bake until golden and bubbly—perfect for a fuss-free meal!

Ingredients Needed:

• 6 slices ready-sliced multigrain brown bread
• 75 grams Dijon mustard
• 6 slices Gruyere cheese
• 3 slices ham
• 6 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon Maldon salt (or ½ teaspoon table salt)
• 80 millilitres of full-fat milk
• 4 tablespoons grated Gruyere cheese (or emmental or cheddar)
• 1 good sprinkling of Worcestershire sauce

How To Make Croque Monsieur Bake?

1. Make the sandwiches: Spread mustard on each slice of bread. Place a slice of cheese on the mustard side, add a slice of ham in between, and close to make a sandwich. Cut each sandwich into two triangles.
2. Arrange in the dish: Tightly pack the sandwich triangles into an ovenproof dish (about 27x21cm).
3. Prepare the egg mixture: In a bowl, beat eggs, salt, and milk. Pour the mixture evenly over the sandwiches.
4. Chill overnight: Cover with clingfilm and refrigerate overnight so the bread absorbs the mixture.
5. Bake: Preheat the oven to 200°C. Remove the dish from the fridge and take off the clingfilm. Sprinkle with grated cheese and Worcestershire sauce. Bake for 25 minutes until golden and set.

Recipe Tips:

• Use stale bread for better texture: Fresh bread can become too soggy when soaked overnight. Using slightly stale bread helps it hold its shape and absorb the egg mixture evenly.
• Press sandwiches tightly into the dish: Make sure the sandwiches are packed closely together so they soak up the egg mixture properly and bake evenly without dry spots.
• Let the egg mixture soak in fully: If you don’t have time to leave it overnight, press the sandwiches down with a spatula after pouring the mixture and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before baking.
• Use high-quality cheese for better flavor: Gruyère is best for a rich, melty texture, but you can also mix it with Emmental or Cheddar for extra cheesiness. Avoid pre-shredded cheese as it doesn’t melt as well.
• Bake uncovered for the perfect golden crust: Leaving the dish uncovered ensures the top gets crispy and golden while the inside stays soft and creamy. If the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the leftover Croque Monsieur Bake cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheat: Preheat the air fryer to 160°C. Place a slice in the basket and heat for 5-7 minutes, checking to ensure it doesn’t dry out.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 220mg
• Sodium: 620mg
• Potassium: 180mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 25g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 4g
• Protein: 18g

Try More Nigella  Lawson Recipes:

• Nigella​ Baked Peaches Recipe
• Nigella Baked Egg Custard
• Nigella Chicken And Chorizo Tray Bake