🇫🇷 French Ham & Cheese Lasagna (Croque-Monsieur Style)
This creamy, indulgent twist on classic lasagna is inspired by the flavors of a traditional Croque-Monsieur — layers of tender pasta, savory ham, silky béchamel, and lots of melted cheese. Comfort food with a French touch!
🧀 Ingredients
For the béchamel sauce:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- 3 cups whole milk (warm)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- Pinch nutmeg
For the layers:
- 9–12 lasagna noodles (cooked and drained)
- 3 cups cooked ham (thinly sliced or diced)
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (or Gruyère for authentic flavor)
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional, but very French!)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Béchamel
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Slowly whisk in warm milk.
- Cook until thick and smooth (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Optional: whisk in Dijon for extra flavor.
2️⃣ Assemble the Lasagna
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of béchamel in a baking dish.
- Add noodles.
- Layer ham, Swiss/Gruyère, mozzarella, and more béchamel.
- Repeat layers, finishing with béchamel and Parmesan on top.
3️⃣ Bake
- Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
✨ Optional Add-Ins
- Caramelized onions
- Sautéed mushrooms
- A pinch of thyme
- A layer of spinach
💡 Serving Ideas
Serve with:
- A crisp green salad with vinaigrette
- Steamed asparagus
- A glass of dry white wine
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- A make-ahead version
- A lighter version
- A chicken & cheese variation
- Or a video-style recipe script 😊
