A comforting French casserole featuring buttery bread, savory ham, Gruyère cheese, and rich béchamel sauce. Perfect for brunch or dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Bread & Dairy Base
01 - 12 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (plus extra for greasing pan)
03 - 1 1/2 cups Gruyère cheese, grated (Swiss cheese may be substituted)
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 3 large eggs
→ Meats
07 - 8 slices cooked ham (approximately 7 ounces)
→ Béchamel Sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
10 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
02 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in 1 1/4 cups milk, stirring constantly until sauce thickens and becomes smooth, approximately 3-4 minutes. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Arrange half the bread slices in the prepared dish, buttered side down.
04 - Top the first bread layer with half the ham slices and half the Gruyère cheese. Repeat with remaining bread (buttered side down), ham, and remaining cheese to create a second complete layer.
05 - Whisk together eggs, 1 cup milk, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. Pour evenly over the casserole, pressing gently on bread to ensure thorough absorption.
06 - Pour the prepared béchamel sauce over the top of the casserole and spread evenly to cover completely.
07 - Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until puffed, golden brown, and bubbling around edges. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving to set.
