Hot Brown Sandwich

Ingredients

• 4 slicethick-cut white bread$0.57
• 1 lbroasted turkey breast, sliced$7.15
• 8 slicethick-cut bacon$4.30
• 4 tbspunsalted butter$0.67
• 0.25 cupall-purpose flour$0.09
• 2 cupwhole milk$1.03
• 0.5 cupPecorino Romano cheese, grated$3.51
• 0.5 tspPaprika$0.09
• 0.5 tspkosher salt$0.02
• 4 eachtomato slices$0.57
• Total for 4 servings$18.00

Most of the cost is roasted turkey breast, sliced ($7.15) and thick-cut bacon ($4.30). With oil, spices and staples already at home, the shop drops to about $17.23. Prices are estimated for the amount used, at average US grocery prices (November 2026).

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toast the thick-cut white bread until lightly golden on both sides, then place the slices in a single layer in a shallow baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, fry the thick-cut bacon for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until browned and crisp. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until bubbling, then gradually whisk in the whole milk and kosher salt and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Pecorino Romano cheese until smooth.
4. Distribute the sliced roasted turkey breast evenly over the toasted bread slices, then arrange the tomato slices on top. Pour the warm Mornay cheese sauce generously over each sandwich and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 6 to 8 minutes until the turkey reaches 165°F (74°C) and the sauce begins to bubble.
5. Switch the oven to broil on high and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the Mornay sauce turns golden brown and bubbly in spots. Remove from the oven, cross two slices of the cooked thick-cut bacon over each sandwich, and dust evenly with the Paprika.
6. Let rest for 2 minutes, then transfer each open-faced sandwich to an individual plate and serve hot.