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Tuna Melt Recipe – This is the ultimate tuna melt sandwich: hot, crispy, cheesy, and satisfying! Simply top sandwich bread with slices of cheese and our delicious tuna fish salad before baking in the oven until cheese is melty. This easy yet delicious recipe for tuna melt is perfect for lunch and will keep you full until dinner time. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the tuna melt recipe
- 4 small cans of albacore tuna, drained
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 16 slices of whole wheat bread
- 8 slices cheddar cheese, or more
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
1. How to make the tuna melt sandwich: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). In a medium-sized bowl combine the flaked tuna fish, mayonnaise, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, dijon mustard, parsley, salt, and pepper. Count approximately 1/2 cup of tuna salad per tuna melt sandwich.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
2. Butter each slice of the sandwich bread. Putting the butter side down, add the cheese on the unbuttered side. Brushing butter over the bread will ensure you get a tuna melt sandwich with a lovely golden crust.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
3. Add 1/2 cup of tuna salad on top of half the bread slices and cheese.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
4. Flatten slightly the tuna fish salad so the sandwich cooks evenly.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
5. Top the tuna fish mixture with an additional cheese slice, if you like.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
6. Transfer the open-faced tuna sandwiches to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for 4 to 7 minutes, keeping an eye on the tuna melts so they don’t burn. Assemble the tuna melt sandwich, then slice in diagonal and serve immediately with pickles or chips. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Tips for the tuna melt recipe
Nothing beats a warm, cheesy tuna melt sandwich for a comforting lunch or dinner. Here are a few suggestions to make it even better:
- Make the tuna melt with Swiss cheese, provolone, mozzarella, or white cheddar instead of the orange cheddar cheese.
- Want more protein? Try adding a chopped hard-boiled egg to the tuna salad before spreading in the sandwich.
- Try using grainy bread. It adds a crunchy texture that contrasts with the creaminess of the tuna sandwich.
- If mustard is not your thing, try using a tablespoon of lemon juice instead and mix it in the tuna mixture.
How to make a tuna melt
Butter one side of each of your bread slices. Top an unbuttered side with 1 or 2 slices of cheese, 1/2 cup (or less) of the tuna fish salad, and 1 more slice of cheese, if you like. Arrange the second slice of bread with the buttered side up on the side. Repeat with remaining ingredients and arrange on a large baking sheet. Bake until cheese is melty, 4 to 7 minutes.
Can we use tuna in oil or in water to make the tuna melt?
We used tuna fish in water in this recipe. But it is up to your preference but either approach has its advantages. Tuna in water has a more natural taste while oil will add more flavor.
Filling variations for the tuna melt sandwich
Lettuce, tomato slices, avocado, and for an extra crunch try sliced pickles.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
