Full Recipe
Author
Food Network Kitchen | 2026-06-11
Description
A croque madame is the ultimate French comfort sandwich — ham and cheese layered on toasted bread, smothered in rich béchamel and baked to melting perfection. A runny egg on top is the final indulgence. This sheet‑pan version keeps all the classic elements while making it easy to feed a crowd. A quick Gruyère sauce with a touch of Dijon graces the sandwiches inside and on top. Buttering the slices that sit directly on the pan toasts them beautifully, while a swipe of sauce inside keeps the ham moist. Starting the sandwiches in the lower third of the oven jump‑starts the toastiness of the sourdough; moving the pan up high finishes the job, browning the cheesy top to a bronzed crust. We even bake the sunny-side-up eggs on another sheet pan to streamline everything. Serve with a simple green salad for an any‑time meal that shines.
