Easy Sheet Pan Croque Monsieur: A Gourmet Ham & Cheese Sandwich for Any Crowd

Following the unexpected runaway success of a random Facebook post showcasing a sheet pan full of perfectly grilled cheese sandwiches, I was inspired to apply the same genius method to another classic comfort food: the Croque Monsieur. Imagine simultaneously cooking as many gourmet ham and cheese sandwiches as you can fit on a single sheet pan, achieving perfectly melted cheese and golden-toasted bread with minimal fuss. This innovative approach makes what might seem like a fancy, time-consuming dish incredibly simple and accessible for everyone.

This culinary experiment came at the perfect moment, coinciding with Grimm’s annual holiday campaign. Each year, Grimm’s partners with food writers across Canada, inviting us to create delicious recipes using their premium products. In a wonderful gesture of community support, Grimm’s then donates $500 worth of their fine foods to the charity of each writer’s choice. For this occasion, I was thrilled to support Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK), an incredible organization dedicated to feeding 4,400 children in Calgary every single school day. It felt profoundly fitting to share our lunch, knowing that in doing so, we could help provide countless other children with a crucial meal they might otherwise miss.

The Inspiration: Sheet Pan Magic for Comfort Food

The original viral success came from a simple realization: you can bake grilled cheese sandwiches. By placing them on a sheet pan and baking at a high temperature (around 450°F or 230°C) for about ten minutes, flipping them halfway through, you achieve an unparalleled level of even melting and golden toasting. This method eliminates the need to stand over a stove, flipping individual sandwiches, and ensures every single one is cooked to perfection. The consistent heat of the oven envelops the entire sandwich, creating that desirable crispy exterior and gooey interior that defines a truly great grilled cheese. It’s a game-changer for feeding a crowd or simply making lunch a breeze.

Given that Croque Monsieur sandwiches traditionally finish their cooking under a broiler to achieve that bubbly, golden-brown cheese sauce topping, the jump to the sheet pan method for the entire process was a natural evolution. Why not leverage the oven’s efficiency for assembling and baking a whole batch at once, freeing up precious time and counter space?

A Delicious Mission: Cooking for a Cause with Grimm’s Fine Foods

This culinary adventure wasn’t just about delicious food; it was about making a difference. Grimm’s Fine Foods, a brand renowned for its quality meats, provided us with a couple of their magnificent Honey & Maple Flavor Ham Halves. These premium cuts were the perfect foundation for our Croque Monsieur, offering a delightful balance of smoky and sweet flavors that truly elevates the sandwich. The collaboration with Grimm’s, particularly their commitment to donating to charities, adds a meaningful layer to every dish created.

Spotlight on Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK)

The opportunity to support BB4CK through this campaign was incredibly moving. This organization addresses a fundamental need, providing nutritious lunches to thousands of children in Calgary who would otherwise go without. A healthy lunch is not just about staving off hunger; it’s vital for concentration, learning, and overall well-being. Knowing that our shared passion for food could translate into direct support for such a crucial cause made every step of this recipe even more rewarding. It’s a powerful reminder of how simple acts, like preparing a meal, can ripple out and create significant positive impact in our communities.

The Star of the Show: Premium Grimm’s Ham

When the Grimm’s Honey & Maple Flavor Ham Halves arrived, my son, W, was absolutely thrilled. Ham is, quite literally, his favorite food. I vividly recall a morning when he was younger and asked if he could prepare his own breakfast; I later found him happily devouring an entire ham shank with a glass of chocolate milk! His enduring love for ham makes him an expert critic, and these ham halves truly earned his seal of approval. The subtle sweetness from the honey and maple complements the rich, savory ham perfectly, creating a flavor profile that is both comforting and sophisticated.

Any of Grimm’s ham products would be fantastic in this recipe, but the Honey & Maple variety adds an extra layer of deliciousness. A significant advantage of starting with a whole ham half is the freedom to slice it exactly to your preference – whether you like it thinly shaved for a delicate texture or thickly cut for a more substantial bite. Grimm’s commitment to quality is evident, as all their ham products are made with 100% Verified Canadian Pork™, ensuring both traceability and ethical sourcing. This attention to detail translates directly into superior taste and texture in every slice, making it ideal for a gourmet sandwich like Croque Monsieur.

Deconstructing the Croque Monsieur: More Than Just a Ham & Cheese

A Croque Monsieur is not merely a ham and cheese sandwich; it’s an elevated experience. It starts with good quality bread, ideally a firm white bread or sourdough, followed by slices of premium ham, and generous layers of cheese. Traditionally, Gruyère or Emmental are used for their nutty, melting qualities, but as the original text suggests, you could absolutely use Grimm’s Old Cheddar or Gouda for a more accessible yet equally delicious twist. The real magic, however, lies in the rich béchamel sauce, which blankets the sandwich before baking, creating a luscious, creamy topping that bakes to a golden, bubbly perfection.

Croque Monsieur vs. Croque Madame

For those who love an extra touch of decadence, transforming your Croque Monsieur into a Croque Madame is simple: just top it with a perfectly fried or poached egg. The runny yolk adds a rich, silken texture and an additional layer of flavor that takes this already impressive sandwich to new heights. It’s a popular choice for brunch and makes the sandwich even more substantial and satisfying.

The Sheet Pan Advantage: Batch Cooking Brilliance

While the Croque Monsieur might conjure images of intricate French bistro kitchens, this sheet pan method demystifies it entirely. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd, making it an ideal choice for holiday entertaining, a weekend brunch gathering, or even a sophisticated weeknight dinner. The ability to assemble and bake multiple sandwiches at once is a huge time-saver and stress-reducer. No more hovering over a pan, juggling individual sandwiches; simply slide the sheet pan into the oven and let the magic happen. This hands-off approach ensures every sandwich is evenly cooked and beautifully golden, giving you more time to enjoy with your guests or family.

Effortless Sheet Pan Croque Monsieur Recipe

Ready to try this simple yet elegant dish? Here’s how to make your own batch of delightful Croque Monsieur on a single sheet pan.

Ingredients:

• 12 slices good quality bread (e.g., sourdough, brioche, or firm white bread)
• Butter, softened, for spreading
• 1 lb Grimm’s Honey & Maple Flavor Ham (or other Grimm’s ham product), thinly sliced
• 1 ½ cups grated cheese (Gruyère, Emmental, Grimm’s Old Cheddar, or Gouda work wonderfully)
• For the Béchamel Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk, warmed
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup grated Gruyère or Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra richness in the sauce)
• Extra grated cheese for topping (about ½ cup)
• Optional: 6 eggs, fried or poached, for Croque Madame

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Prepare Béchamel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the 2 tbsp butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms. Gradually whisk in the warm milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in nutmeg, salt, and pepper. If using, whisk in the ½ cup grated cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Assemble Sandwiches: Lightly butter one side of each bread slice. On 6 of the bread slices (butter-side down), layer with a generous amount of Grimm’s ham and then ½ cup of the grated cheese. Top with the remaining 6 bread slices, butter-side up.
4. Arrange on Sheet Pan: Carefully place the assembled sandwiches onto the prepared baking sheet.
5. Add Béchamel and Cheese Topping: Generously spoon the prepared béchamel sauce over the top of each sandwich, ensuring full coverage. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of grated cheese evenly over the béchamel-coated sandwiches.
6. Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Broil for Perfection (Optional): For an extra golden-brown, bubbly crust, switch your oven to broiler mode (low to medium setting). Broil for 2-3 minutes, keeping a very close eye on them to prevent burning.
8. Serve Immediately: Carefully remove the Croque Monsieur from the oven. If making Croque Madame, top each sandwich with a freshly fried or poached egg. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• Quality Bread Matters: A sturdy bread will hold up better to the béchamel and baking.
• Don’t Skimp on Sauce: The béchamel is key to the Croque Monsieur’s rich, creamy texture and flavor.
• Pre-shredded Cheese: While convenient, pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can affect melting. For the best melt, grate your own cheese.
• Make Ahead: You can assemble the sandwiches (without the béchamel and top cheese) and store them in the fridge for a few hours. Prepare the béchamel separately. When ready to bake, add the sauce and cheese, then proceed with the recipe.
• Reheating: Leftovers reheat beautifully! Simply place them on a baking sheet in a moderate oven (around 350°F/175°C) for 10-15 minutes, until heated through and crispy.

Holiday Feasting & Leftover Love

When you consider their versatility and crowd-pleasing nature, these sheet pan Croque Monsieur are truly ideal for holiday eating. They are equally well-suited to a festive breakfast (especially topped with an egg for a Croque Madame), a hearty lunch, or a comforting dinner. The beauty of this dish is its ability to adapt to any mealtime, offering a satisfying and delicious option for any occasion.

And although you might initially think that leftovers wouldn’t fare well in the fridge, I can attest that they reheat beautifully. In fact, I almost like them better the next day, after the flavors have had more time to meld and deepen. Simply pop them back into a moderate oven until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again. Furthermore, the flavorful ends and scraps from Grimm’s ham halves are absolute treasures! Don’t let them go to waste. They are perfect for tossing into hearty soups, enriching baked beans, stirring into a creamy mac and cheese, or countless other dishes. ‘Tis the season for leftovers, and there will be plenty of opportunities to creatively recycle these delicious bits, extending the life and flavor of your holiday ham.

A Heartfelt Thanks

I hope you’re all enjoying wonderful meals this December, filled with warmth and delicious food. And once again, a huge thank you to Grimm’s Fine Foods for their generous support of Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK). It’s a privilege to partner with a company that not only produces exceptional products but also actively contributes to the well-being of our communities. Enjoy your sheet pan Croque Monsieur, and happy holidays!