Description
The Easy Tuna Melt is a quick and comforting sandwich recipe combining creamy tuna salad, melty cheese, and crispy bread. Ready in under 20 minutes, it uses simple pantry ingredients and can be customized with your favorite cheese, herbs, and bread varieties. Perfect for any meal, this classic dish delivers hearty, cheesy goodness with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Canned tuna (5 oz, drained)
- Mayonnaise (3 tbsp)
- Cheese (Cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella – 2-3 slices or 1/2 cup shredded)
- Bread (2 slices, sourdough or whole wheat)
- Dijon mustard (1 tsp, optional)
- Celery or pickles (2 tbsp, finely chopped)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Optional Variations
- Avocado (1/4 cup mashed, optional)
- Jalapenos or hot sauce (to taste)
- Fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or chives – 1 tbsp chopped)
- Lettuce leaves or low-carb bread (for low-carb option)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tuna Salad: Drain your canned tuna thoroughly and transfer it to a medium bowl. Add mayonnaise, a small dollop of Dijon mustard if you’re using it, finely chopped celery or pickles, salt, and pepper. Mix everything gently until combined but still chunky enough to enjoy texture.
- Preheat Your Pan or Oven: If you’re cooking the sandwiches on a skillet, preheat it over medium heat. For an oven method, heat the broiler on high and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Take slices of your favorite bread and evenly spread the tuna salad onto one side. Layer with slices or shredded cheese on top for maximum meltiness. Add the second bread slice if making a classic sandwich.
- Cook Until Golden and Melty: Place the sandwich in the skillet or on the baking sheet under the broiler. Cook for about 3-5 minutes per side on the stovetop or 5-7 minutes under the broiler, until the bread is golden and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve Warm and Enjoy: Carefully remove the tuna melt from heat, let it cool slightly, then slice and serve immediately to enjoy that perfect melty, cheesy bite.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for better crispness and sturdiness.
- Don’t overmix the tuna salad to retain a pleasant texture.
- Layer cheese liberally for a gooier melt.
- Press lightly with a spatula while cooking to ensure even toasting.
- Cook over medium heat to avoid burning and ensure proper melting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: tuna melt, tuna sandwich, quick sandwich, cheesy sandwich, easy lunch, comfort food