When Monsieur Pizza announced its closure, it left a significant void in the hearts of loyal customers. For years, this beloved restaurant was more than just a place to eat—it was a community cornerstone, known for its uniquely crafted pizzas and welcoming atmosphere. Rising operational costs and staffing challenges led the owner to make the difficult decision to close, as they explained in a heartfelt message: “Comme plusieurs d’entre vous le savent, j’étudie en Naturopathie ce qui me demande beaucoup d’heures d’études donc moins de temps pour le restaurant. Comme le coût de la vie ne cesse d’augmenter nous restaurateurs ne faisons pas exception à la règle de plus le manque de main d’œuvre nous touche particulièrement.”

Although Monsieur Pizza’s doors are closed, its flavors and memories don’t have to be. You can relive the joy it brought by recreating one of its iconic offerings right in your own kitchen.

Inspired by French cuisine and the restaurant’s signature creativity, the Croque-Monsieur Pizza perfectly blends the indulgent flavors of a classic Croque-Monsieur sandwich with the universal appeal of pizza. This recipe has been lovingly crafted to honor the essence of Monsieur Pizza, delivering the same comforting and satisfying experience.

Let’s bring the magic of Monsieur Pizza into your home. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can recreate this beloved dish and keep its memory alive in every bite.

Recipe: Croque-Monsieur Pizza

This recipe captures the essence of the French classic with a few twists to make it pizza-friendly. Here’s how to bring a little piece of Monsieur Pizza back into your kitchen.

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Ingredients

For the Crust:

Pizza dough homemade or store-bought
Enough flour to roll out the dough
1 tablespoon butter melted
Yellow cornmeal for pizza peel

For the Sauce:

¼ cup 1/2 stick butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1½ cups whole milk slightly warmed
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

For the Toppings:

10 slices of high-quality ham about 1 lb.
6 oz. Gruyere cheese grated
1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence

Instructions

Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 425°F with a pizza stone inside. Roll out the dough on a floured surface, transfer it to a pizza peel sprinkled with cornmeal, and fold the edges to create a crust. Brush the dough with melted butter and poke holes with a fork to prevent bubbling. Bake on the pizza stone for 10-12 minutes until slightly browned. Let cool.
Make the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until bubbly. Whisk in flour and cook for about 3 minutes. Gradually add warm milk, whisking until smooth. Cook for 4 more minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in Dijon mustard and nutmeg.
Assemble the Pizza: Spread the sauce over the pre-baked crust. Layer the ham evenly, then sprinkle grated Gruyere cheese on top. Add a finishing touch of Herbs de Provence.
Bake to Perfection: Return the assembled pizza to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes before slicing.

Why This Recipe Works

The creamy béchamel sauce acts as the perfect base, elevating the flavors of the ham and cheese. The Herbs de Provence bring a touch of French authenticity, while the crispy and buttery crust ties it all together. This recipe is a rich and satisfying homage to the flavors of Monsieur Pizza.

A Delicious Farewell

While we may no longer gather at Monsieur Pizza, the spirit of its delicious offerings lives on in recipes like this one. As you savor your homemade Croque-Monsieur Pizza, remember the wonderful times shared and the meals enjoyed. Let’s keep those memories alive by bringing a bit of that magic to our own kitchens.