What I love about this recipe is that it challenges you to identify and enjoy each of the distinctive layers in this Ham & Cheese Bake. Another thing I love about this recipe is that it is soo simple to make – you just layer the ingredients and bake. One could even call it a baked ham & cheese sandwich. And taking it a step further, categorizing it as an open-faced Monte Cristo sandwich. I believe it qualifies – slightly. These are all good names, some describing this dish better than others. Let’s compare ingredients to get right down to it.
| Comparisons per single serving * indicates no ingredient match | ||
| Ham & Cheese Bake | Ham & Cheese Sandwich | Monte Cristo |
| 1 slice bread | 2 slices bread | 2 slices bread |
| 1 to 1 ½ slices ham | 1 to 2 slices of ham | 1 to 2 thick slice of ham |
| 1/4 cup variety of cheeses, grated | 1 slice Swiss cheese | 1 slice gruyere cheese |
| 1 thin slice of onion | * | * |
| 2 stalks of asparagus | * | * |
| White wine | * | * |
| S&P | * | S&P |
| * | * | Eggs |
| * | Mayo | Mayo & Mustard |
| * | Butter | Butter |
According to Wikipedia:
Ham & Cheese Sandwich: “A ham and cheese sandwich is a common type of sandwich. It is made by putting cheese and sliced ham between two slices of bread. The bread is sometimes buttered and/or toasted. Vegetables like lettuce, tomato, onion or pickle slices can also be included. Various kinds of mustard and mayonnaise are also common.”
Monte Cristo Sandwich: “is an egg-dipped ham and cheese sandwich that is pan or deep fried, a variation of the French croque-monsieur. In the 1930s–1960s, American cookbooks had recipes for this sandwich under such names as “French sandwich”, “toasted ham sandwich”, and “French toasted cheese sandwich”.
According to me (haha):
Ham & Cheese Bake: Some people consider this version a casserole, however, I do not. I think of it as a ham and cheese sandwich on steroids (kudos to extra vegetables included) conveniently baked (not fried).
So let’s see how this sandwich stacks up!
Layer bread in a baking dish. I didn’t plan ahead and chose the wrong size dish for 4 portions, but it all worked out.
Thin slices of onion top the bread.
Asparagus and seasonings are the next layer.
Ah the ham! I used deli sliced ham but ham slices leftover from a chunk of ham would be nice too.
The last layer is the cheese. I used three cheeses (swiss, mozzerella and cheddar). Photo only shows one cheese.
Layered and baked. I left it in the oven a little too long so it is more golden than I wanted, but that didn’t affect the taste.
Layers of goodness melt in your mouth.
An easy meal for any night of the week! So layer away and enjoy!
Yields 4
Save RecipeIngredients
- 4 slices French or Italian bread
- 5 thin slices white onion
- 9 asparagus stalks
- 6 thin slices cooked ham
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Salt & pepper to season
- Garlic blend (Spice Islands) to season
- Butter
Instructions
- PREP: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter an ovenproof baking dish.
- Layer in order: bread, onion, asparagus, ham and cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic blend.
- Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes or until cheese has melted and is golden in color.