Searching for a quick, affordable dish that's packed with flavor? This endives au gratin with ham is a staple in my kitchen repertoire—delicious, economical, and always a hit.
As a home cook who prioritizes simple, everyday meals, I've perfected this recipe over years of family dinners. It's straightforward, nutritious, and costs just €0.96 per serving.
Preparation: 30 mins - Cooking: 15 min - For 4 people
Difficulty: easy - Budget per person: €0.96
- 4 slices of cooked ham
- 4 fine endives
- 100g grated cheese
- 50 cl of milk
- 100 g of butter
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- Salt & pepper
1. Remove the outer leaves if withered, and trim the hard cone base with a knife.
2. Cook the endives in a large pot of boiling salted water for 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the béchamel sauce—follow the instructions in this article for a foolproof result.
4. Stir in half of the grated Gruyère cheese to the sauce.
5. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
6. Drain the endives well, gently pressing to remove excess water.
7. Butter a baking dish. Wrap each endive in a slice of ham and arrange in the dish.
8. Pour over the béchamel sauce and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes until golden.
Your endives au gratin with ham are ready to serve—golden, creamy, and irresistible!
Quick and effortless, this is ideal for busy weeknights. It's a balanced meal the whole family loves, and you can make extra for leftovers.
Kids even enjoy the veggies wrapped in ham and béchamel. For a lighter version, skip the sauce.
Wash endives under cold running water (don't soak). Add lemon juice to the cooking water, trim the yellow bitter end, and remove the hard core.
- 4 slices of cooked ham: 180 g at €9.56 per kilo, i.e. €1.72
- 4 fine endives: around 600 g at €1.80 per kilo, i.e. €1.08
- 100 g of grated cheese: €6.74 per kilo, i.e. €0.67
- 50 cl of milk: €0.71 per liter or €0.35
- 2 tablespoons of flour: 30 g at €0.95 per kilo, i.e. €0.03
Total: €0.96 per person or €3.85 for 4. A reliable, wallet-friendly classic I make often!
