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.
Can this be made on a panini press?
Yes, a well oiled or non-stick should work well.
I want to do these for brinner (breakfast for dinner)- what would you pair with them? I was thinking maybe fresh fruit (obviously), but what about veggies? My first instinct is a green salad, but I didn’t know if there was something more commonly paired with them.
Thanks!
I don’t know of any side that is commonly paired with them. I think a fresh green salad is a great idea!
This was my very first Monte Cristo and I loved it! I used provolone and I did not regret a things about it.
Is that cole slaw in the middle of one of those sandwiches? That’s what I do with mine. It gives it just a little tartness and enough messiness that you have enjoyed your sandwich to nth degree!
No coleslaw, but I will have to try that.
My lordy! That was one delicious sandwich! I made with leftover ham and velveeta cheese, then drizzled honey all over it. Served with French onion soup and some potato chips. My 12-year old son loved it, too! Thank you!!!
I have been searching for Monte Cristo Sandwich recipes on Pinterest. All fails except a slider I am going to try. This recipe I will try Sunday. But with the following changes. Swiss Lorraine, Honey ham and Turkey. I will be mixing the mayo with the mustard as I will be using some BlackBerry preserves on the other inside half of this sandwich. It will get sprinkled with just a touch of powdered sugar and a teaspoon of the blackberry preserves on the side.
Only a TEASPOON of jam?
There’s more in one of those McDonald’s to go jam packages…
I’d look at my plate, look at you with one eyebrow raised and…
Start eating the ‘Cristo and ask for more jam please!
I used to work in a restaurant, back in the early 90’s that served these sandwiches with melba sauce. I think they may have been made a little differently, I can’t remember.
These are so delicious, and warming on a cold night. I substituted a sweet bourbon mustard made in Maine and my homemade savory cranberry sauce for the condiments. It’s the simple things that bring the biggest pleasures.
Hi!
Perhaps this will sound dumb, as I am not very good in the kitchen department. After dipping the bread in the egg, do you dip both sides? and do you cook one side before putting the sandwich together?
No questions are dumb questions, Norma. We all have questions from time to time. The sandwiches are assembled before dipping, then carefully dipped (both sides) before placing in pan to cook.
Dianeyland has the best monte cristo sandwiches in the world! Just saying. Theirs are battered then fried.
I agree that Disneyland has great monte cristo sandwiches. I am definitely getting one next time that I go there!
Here’s a funny story. Funny, but true. When I was first living on my own back in the early 90s, I had a little leftover egg wash so I made a ham and cheese sandwich and got the brilliant idea to dip it in the egg wash and fry it up like French toast. I called my mother (who was a great cook) and said to her, “Mom, I just invented the best sandwich in the world; I’m going to be a millionaire”! She asked what it was and I told her, “I put ham and cheese on white bread, dipped in egg wash, and fried it up like French toast. It’s best sandwich I’ve ever tasted”! She said, “you dummy, that’s a Monte Cristo, it’s been around forever”. Well there went my Millions.
Add a fried egg!!!!
Try using waffles and top with syrup.
Here and there, I have eaten the Monte Cristo when I find it on the menu and it never disappoints! The first place I had it though, dusted it with powdered sugar and served it with heated maple syrup to dip each mouth watering bite. So I have always asked for some maple syrup to go with mine, but the raspberry jam sounds really great too! I’ll have to check that out next time.
I too have always had it with the maple syrup. Surprised not to see it mentioned in the previousd comments.
Eating this right now…FABULOUS! Made mine with swiss. Still so good. Next time, maple syrup on the side sounds like a nice bonus to this already delish meal.
It was delicious and very easy to make thanks for the recipe
We’re having these tonight. Can’t wait. Never had one before, but it sounds delicious. Using provolone on mine. May dip in a little bit of maple syrup.😍
Absolutely love your creative idea with Monte Cristo sandwich! Can I post it on my blog? Thanks for sharing, Amy!
Amy, thanks! Made this last night so quick, easy and tasty!
I’m going to try this with some thick sliced pepper bacon and cheddar with a savory caramelized onion sauce.