Festive Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich with Smoked Turkey and Mornay Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic Louisville open-faced sandwich layered with smoked turkey, crispy bacon, and a rich Mornay cheese sauce, perfect for family weekend meals. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs thick sliced white bread, smoked turkey breast, bacon strips for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly toast 4 thick slices of white bread and place them on a baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and pale golden.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 1 1/4 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 4-5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère cheese until melted and smooth. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Arrange 8 oz thinly sliced smoked turkey breast evenly over the toasted bread slices, then spoon the cheese sauce generously over each.
  6. Step 6: Top each sandwich with 2 crisp bacon strips and 1-2 slices of tomato. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp paprika over the top.
  7. Step 7: Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and lightly browned. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Festive Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich with Smoked Turkey and Mornay Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Festive Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich with Smoked Turkey and Mornay Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep thick sliced white bread from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Festive Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich with Smoked Turkey and Mornay Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Festive Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich with Smoked Turkey and Mornay Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Festive Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich with Smoked Turkey and Mornay Sauce?

American sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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