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Fish, Busy evenings

Tuna and tomato croque monsieur with salad

A tuna and tomato croque monsieur is a hot, Gruyère melted sandwich for 4 people, ready in 25 minutes. It's very easy to make and costs €2.10 per person. The trick is drying the tomato slices well so the bread stays crisp under the melted cheese.

A croque, but not the ham kind, tonight it's tuna and tomato, nicely melted, with a green salad!

Tuna and tomato croque monsieur with salad
Total time
25 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.10
Calories per person
510 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

This croque monsieur skips the usual ham and cheese. Flaked tuna bound with cream cheese adds softness, tomato brings freshness, and melted Gruyère seals everything under a golden crust. It's crisp on the outside, soft inside, and never dry.

This is the kind of recipe that saves a busy weeknight without demanding hours in the kitchen. Kids love the classic grilled cheese feel, parents appreciate tuna as a change from the usual proteins, and the green salad on the side rounds out the meal with zero extra effort.

The ingredients

4 people

Bakery

  • Sandwich bread 8 slices

Pantry

  • Tuna in wateroften in the pantry 2
  • Vinaigretteoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Tomatoes 2
  • Green salad 1

Dairy

  • Shredded Gruyère 150 g
  • Cream cheese 4 tbsp
  • Butter 30 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Fish

The step by step recipe

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Flake the tuna and mix it with the cream cheese, salt and pepper.

    The cream cheese binds the tuna and keeps the filling from sliding out of the sandwich.

  2. Spread the mixture over four slices of bread, then add well dried tomato slices.

    Remove the seeds and pat the slices dry, it's the tomato's water that makes the sandwich soggy.

  3. Top with a bit of Gruyère and close with the four remaining slices.

    Press down firmly on top so the two slices hold together.

  4. Butter the tops, place the sandwiches on the baking sheet, sprinkle with the rest of the Gruyère and bake until nicely browned. 12 min

    Switch to the broiler for the last two minutes for a deep golden melt.

  5. Season the salad and serve it alongside the hot sandwiches.

    Cut the sandwich in half diagonally, it looks more appealing and is easier for little ones to eat.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the tuna thoroughly before mixing it with the cream cheese, otherwise the filling turns watery and soaks the bread.
  • Pick a slightly thick sandwich bread, it holds the filling better and survives baking without tearing.
  • If you're baking several trays, swap their position halfway through so every sandwich browns evenly.

The variations

  • Swap the tuna for flaked smoked salmon for a more refined version.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the tuna with mashed artichoke hearts and keep the rest of the recipe as is.
  • To save time, brown the sandwiches in a skillet with a little butter instead of baking them.

What to serve it with

  • Green salad with vinaigrette
  • Vegetable soup as a starter
  • Tomato juice or sparkling water

Storage

These sandwiches keep for 1 day in the fridge in a closed container, though they lose their crispness. They don't freeze well because of the tomato and cream cheese. Reheat in the oven or a skillet rather than the microwave to bring back some crunch.

Questions about this dish

Can you prep these sandwiches ahead of time?

You can assemble the sandwiches up to 2 hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Butter the tops and bake right before serving so they stay crisp.

What kind of bread works best for this croque monsieur?

A classic, slightly thick sandwich bread works great and holds the filling without tearing. Avoid thin sliced bread, it softens quickly against the tuna.

Can you substitute the cream cheese?

Yes, thick sour cream or mascarpone also work to bind the tuna. What matters is a creamy texture that holds together between the slices of bread.

How do you keep the sandwich from getting soggy?

Pat the tomato slices dry before adding them and butter the outside of the bread instead of the inside. Tomato juice and inside buttering are what make the bread soft during baking.

How long does it take to make a tuna and tomato croque monsieur with a side salad?

Count 25 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a tuna and tomato croque monsieur with a side salad?

About 510 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a tuna and tomato croque monsieur with a side salad cost?

About €2.10 per serving, or €8.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, fish. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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