Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe
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This recipe for a Monte Cristo sandwich will have you craving them morning, noon, and night. It’s an easy twist on the basic ham and cheese combination and oh so very satisfying. Plus, it’s the perfect place for leftover ham.
When you have leftover ham, you make sandwiches. At least we do. And not just any sandwich, a Monte Cristo. Yeah. That’s what I’m talking about.
If you’ve never enjoyed a Monte Cristo, well, we’ve got to change that. What is a Monte Cristo, you say? Basically, it’s just the best ham and cheese sandwich ever! And it’s so cosmopolitan-ish sounding too.
A variation of the Croque-monsieur, the Monte Cristo is made with ham, cheese, a bit of mustard, and mayonnaise, then it’s dipped in egg and cooked just like french toast. Say whaaat?!? Yep, no joke. It’s kind of crazy, isn’t it? Crazy town is what it is. We’re walking on the wild side with this sandwich, people.
How to make Monte Christo sandwich?
- Place two slices of white bread on a flat surface. Spread mustard on one slice and mayonnaise on the other.
- Add thin slices of ham shredded gruyere cheese on top of the mustard and cover the cheese with the other part of the sandwich. In a nonstick pan over medium heat, add butter to melt.
- In a shallow bowl, add the eggs and whisk them until the egg whites and yolks are incorporated. Carefully dip the sandwiches in on both sides. Once the butter has been melted, fry on both sides for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown on top.
The Monte Cristo isn’t just for lunch or dinner either. Talk about a great breakfast sandwich. Sometimes the Monte Cristo is served with preserves and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, so I think breakfast is totally appropriate, don’t you? We also enjoy these sandwiches with a small bit of honey. This sandwich really does make the most perfect savory and sweet combination with a just a bit of sweet added.
Tips and variations:
- To make a Monte Christo sandwich ahead of time, fill the sandwiches with mustard, mayo, ham, and cheese, then wrap those in a foil. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Once you are ready to eat, dip the sandwiches in the egg, fry in butter and enjoy!
- You can reheat the sandwich back in the pan over low/medium heat. Or also in the microwave.
- For crunchy and golden brown outside, make sure to use a cast-iron skillet or nonstick pan and have it preheated over medium heat.
- A light dusting of sugar or a little bit of honey gives this sandwich a delicious (and easy) gourmet chef’s touch.
Of course, this sandwich is on the decadent side, so it’s not an all-the-time sort of thing. But if you plan a brunch, or have leftover ham in need of a job, give this Monte Cristo a try. I think you’ll be glad you did.
More delicious breakfast and sandwich recipes you will enjoy:
- Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
- Easy Sausage Cheese Breakfast Casserole
- Mozzarella Basil Sandwich
- Yogurt Pancakes Recipe
- Hash Brown Casserole
Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe
Monte Cristo Sandwich
Ham and cheese never looked so good. Try this easy Monte Cristo Sandwich for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- pinches of salt and pepper
- 4 slices sturdy white bread (or white bread of preference)
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/2 pound thick sliced baked ham
- 1/2 ounce, weight shredded gruyere cheese
- additional salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Beat eggs in a shallow dish (large enough to fit a sandwich) along with a few pinches of salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Assemble sandwiches, with mustard, mayonnaise, ham, cheese, salt and pepper to personal preference. Slightly compress sandwich.
- Heat skillet over medium heat. Add butter; allow to melt.
- Dip and coat each sandwich in beaten egg, and place in skillet. Cook sandwiches 2-3 minutes on each side, until browned to liking and cheese has melted.
These sandwiches look really delicious!!!
What has run onto the plate in the forefront of the main picture?
Cheese? Honey?
Hello Mary,
It’s a bit of honey. I think honey is such a great compliment to ham.
Amy:
I thought that might be what it was. Love your blog and thanks for responding so quickly. Looks yummy!
I’m thinking mikes hot honey would be good with this. I’m going to make it soon.
Ummmm… Your recipe looks delicious! But you can’t call it a Monte Cristo. A proper Monte Cristo is made with Turkey, Ham, Swiss, and then dipped in egg and cooked like the french toast you mentioned. So give yourself two thumbs up for your delectable creativity, and give your sandwich a new name.
Hello, Krista. From what I’ve learned, the original Monte Cristo was made with ham and swiss, then battered with egg and pan fried or even deep fried. Some variations I’ve seen include turkey, chicken and even bacon. So, I will not be changing the name.
Love the response Amy. I think @Krista should stay in her lane and save her commentsfor the birds. Great recipe
I use bacon in mine all the time. Thank you.
I think Muenster and American cheese makes a great one..sidelined with a nice strawberry preserve
Damn Krista. Get a day job.
Fronc, You ronc! 🙂
We also dust with power sugar
Wow, rude much?!
Is that a sprinkle of powdered sugar? I’m making this soon! Looks so good and sounds so easy.
Krista krista krista…. How wrong you are.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Cristo_sandwich
A monte cristo is a play on the Croque Monsieur, which is ham and gruyere.
You forgot strawberry or raspberry preserves for dipping
Nope Krista! The original was just ham and Gruyere. Turkey is a regional variation.
No no.. no mustard, no mayo, JUST strawberry jelly 😛 YUM
Just made this and oh my. Idk why but when I took my first bite it was sooo tasty the mustard and the meat reminded me of a eating a Cuban sandwich. This will now be in my rotation. Thank you
Delis recipe, I use maple syrup here in Canada! Lovely!
There’s just something about Monte Cristos that just melt in your mouth… DELISH!
I love a good Monte Christo. The only thing is….I’ve always had them with jelly.
Yours looks great!
Forget mayo and mustard. Use strawberry jam. Yum!
I made this for the first time,it is so yummy. I topped it with old fashioned maple syrup
Only one of my favorite sandwiches ever! Gorgeous pics!
One of my favorite sandwiches ever…and now, thanks a lot, one I want RIGHT NOW!
Looks terrific Amy.
Amy these are sheer perfection. I have some honey baked ham in my freezer from the holidays so I’m totally making these. I seriously just want to reach in the screen and snag one or three.
Hello Kim,
We used a honey baked ham and it was perfect! And, shhhh, don’t tell, but we’ve made them 3 different days in the past week.
gotta use up that delicious ham
This looks insanely delicious! I need to try one already!
We have swiss cheese in the fridge. Can we use that instead?
Hello Geraldine,
Swiss cheese would be perfect! I hope you enjoy it.
What about mozzarella?
You could try that.
Mozzarella makes the sandwich very bland!! A nice sharp cheddar cheese is how all the restaurants I ever worked at made them that way!
So glad to see someone who cooks a Monte Cristo the *right* way…not the deep fried abomination!
Back in the 70’s, we battered them & deep fried them…
Thanks. Pics look yum yum yummy👍😀👍I’m on a sandwich kick. Will be experimenting with different ones. I also like strawberry & fig preserves.
When I use to work in a restaurant we made ours with turkey, ham and Swiss cheese dipped in a french toast batter and grilled. No mustard,just mayo.
I’ve heard that a true Monto Carlo sandwich was Ham, Turkey, cheese & mustard & 1 pickle
And then do it like the other people has made theirs and sprinkled powered sugar & rasberry preserves to dip it in ! I’ve only had 2 but after seeing this picture I’m wanting one, looks great
I agree with the last comment! The best sandwich ever! But not good for people with high blood pressure, sodium count is so high! I would love just a bite of one tho. Gotta have turkey, ham and Swiss cheese dipped in egg batter and grilled, usually they deep fry and sprinkle with powdered sugar! DELISH!!!
I’ll take that whole stack! And another one to go! 😉 Beautiful sammich!
Thanks for bringing this yummy dish to the front of my memory. I remember having this dish at a very posh eatery and they did serve it with powdered sugar and wait for it……………….grape jelly. No matter the dish was wonderful.
Hello Barb,
I’m totally trying it with grape jelly next time.
raspberry jelly is the bomb,,, ive had one in a tortilla dipped and fried… yummy every way……..
Oh my word … that sounds crazy good, Lynn!
always dip in strawberry jam..delish
orange marmalade.
I always make Monte Cristo sandwiches with our leftover Christmas ham. I need to remember it more often throughout the year.
I have never had a monte cristo sandwich before until this evening. These were easy, fast and AMAZING!
On a blogger note, what do you use to have the option of the recipe printable?
Do you have to use mayo? I’m fine with the mustard but no one in my house likes mayo.
Hello Tammy,
You don’t have to use mayo. Make it to your preference.
What other kind oof cheese would work? I generally only have Monterey Jack, Mozerella or medium cheddar in the house.
Hello Aymmie,
I think whatever your favorite is would work. 😉 Really, whatever you like best with ham. Personally, I’d go with Monterey Jack. YUM!
Are you kidding!? I have done left over ham and was wishing I had a few more recipes for the leftovers. Can’t wait to give this a try! Pinning….