Basic Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

What do you do when you can't decide between a grilled cheese sandwich and French toast? Easy! Make a Monte Cristo sandwich instead! It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory. And you can enjoy this delightful sandwich any time of the day.

Like the Croque Monsieur, the Monte Cristo sandwich recipe is a staple in many cafes. The classic sandwich, named after Alexander Dumas’ novel, traditionally contains layers of ham, turkey, and Gruyère cheese. But you don't need to travel overseas to enjoy this indulgent comfort food. You can make the sandwich at home with more affordable components.

How to Make a Monte Cristo Sandwich

Monte Cristo sandwich slices with a heavy dusting of confectioner’s sugar with a serving of jam

Filipinos don't usually consider bread the main meal and delegate even go-to sandwich recipes as a snack. However, a Monte Cristo may change your mind. It’s a hearty exception you can serve for morning or evening meals.

If you haven't tasted a Monte Cristo sandwich, here's your chance. The recipe is straightforward, but the results are impressive.

Ingredients

4 tbsp Lady’s Choice Ham Spread
3 slices white bread
2 slices cheddar cheese
2 slices sweet, spiced glazed ham
4 eggs, beaten
½ cup milk
¼ tsp nutmeg
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp confectioners’ sugar

Method

Spread Lady's Choice Ham Spread on bread slices. Layer cheese and ham. Top with the other piece of bread.
Combine egg, milk, and nutmeg in a shallow dish. Dip sandwich into the mixture, ensuring all sides are well coated.
Melt butter in a pan. Cook sandwich until browned on all sides. Let cool slightly, then dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve immediately.

Cheddar cheese is an excellent alternative to Gruyère or Swiss cheese. Or, adding quick-melting cheese to the Monte Cristo sandwich ingredients makes for a creamier option. Additionally, you can use leftover holiday ham or include turkey meat for a more filling version. The conventional recipe calls for raspberry jam or red currant, but you can replace this with maple syrup or strawberry jam.

Monte Cristo Sandwich vs. Croque Monsieur

Two thick slices of a ham and cheese sandwich on a white plate

Often, people confuse the Monte Cristo with the Croque Monsieur. After all, they look strikingly similar. Only the biggest sandwich lovers know how they differ. Here's how to tell them apart.

Ingredients

Croque Monsieur – sandwich bread, French ham, Gruyère, unsalted butter, béchamel sauce
Monte Cristo – sandwich bread, French ham, Gruyère, Dijon mustard, confectioners’ sugar

Cooking Method

Croque Monsieur – baking or grilling
Monte Cristo – deep- or pan-frying

Taste

Croque Monsieur – salty and creamy
Monte Cristo – sweet and savory

The question becomes: is one better than the other? As always, it boils down to personal preferences. If you're not a fan of sweet and savory combos, a Croque Monsieur is the way to go. Otherwise, both sandwiches are delectable options to consider when making a quick meal for you and your fam.

Don’t let the Monte Cristo sandwich’s fancy name fool you into thinking it’s complicated. You can make it effortlessly and adapt it to whatever ingredients you have in your pantry. Give it extra heft by pairing it with salads, soups, and fries (or chips) and dip.