Monte Cristo Benedict with Ham and Gruyère

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A decadent French toast sandwich layered with ham, Gruyère, and poached eggs, crowned with velvety hollandaise for a sophisticated brunch twist. This french-inspired brunch ready in about 46 minutes pairs (1 inch thick) bread, milk, large eggs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 710 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 22 min Cook: 24 min Serves 2 French cuisine 710 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Make French toast: Whisk 1/2 cup milk, 1 large egg, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a shallow dish. Dip bread slices for 1 minute per side.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp butter in a skillet. Cook dipped bread for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Place two slices on a plate, top with 2 ham slices and 1/4 cup Gruyère, then cover with remaining bread.
  3. Step 3: Poach eggs: Simmer 4 cups water with 1 tbsp vinegar. Create a whirlpool and slip in 2 large eggs. Cook for 3 minutes until whites are set.
  4. Step 4: Prepare hollandaise: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a saucepan. Whisk in 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Assemble: Place the ham-cheese sandwich on a plate. Top with one poached egg and drizzle with 2 tbsp hollandaise. Serve immediately while hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Monte Cristo Benedict with Ham and Gruyère take to make?

Total time is about 46 minutes (22 min prep + 24 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 Monte Cristo Benedict with Ham and Gruyère?

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 (1 inch thick) bread from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Monte Cristo Benedict with Ham and Gruyère?

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 Monte Cristo Benedict with Ham and Gruyère for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Monte Cristo Benedict with Ham and Gruyère?

French brunch 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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