Looking for an easy lunch or dinner idea with little effort, but all the taste? Try this cheesy tuna melt recipe! Using canned fish, this classic sandwich comes together in minutes and seriously hits the spot. So delicious!

Tuna melt sandwich with lettuce and tomato.

Hi friends!

Canned fish is definitely something that’s underrated if you ask me. Take this salmon cake recipe, for instance. It’s a simple tin of salmon, but when combined with a few other basic ingredients, it makes things extra special.

That’s like today’s recipe. Start with a humble can of tuna, throw in some other goodies and you have yourself one epic sandwich.

Tuna and cheese unite for one hearty, satisfying meal.

This tuna cheese sandwich (or tuna melt recipe) is off the charts delicious and takes minutes to whip up. How’s that for an easy lunch or dinner?

And tuna melt ingredients are pretty basic too. Essentially, this sandwich uses a pantry staple (canned tuna), mayonnaise, cheese and bread. Everything else is a bonus if you ask me!

And, if you want to make things extra hearty, enjoy with some homemade potato wedges or a bowl of tomato basil soup.

Why We Love This Tuna Melt Recipe

This tuna melt is made with a pantry staple, canned tuna, along with other basic pantry and fridge ingredients you probably have on hand.
It comes together quickly (great for busy days).
It’s pretty budget-friendly.
This sandwich can be customized to taste with add-ins.
It’s super comforting and delicious!

What Are Tuna Melts?

Tuna melts are essentially a tuna salad sandwich with cheese. They’re warmed in the oven until the cheese gets all delicious and melty.

So, if you a fan of tuna sandwiches, then chances are you’ll love tuna melts.

How To Make This Tuna Melt Recipe

Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

Start by mixing your well-drained canned tuna with mayonnaise, celery, green onion, capers, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt.
Spread some mayonnaise over the cut side of the bottom hamburger buns.
Top with the tuna salad mixture.
Now add a generous layer of shredded cheese, then place your tuna melts onto a sheet pan and place into the oven so that the cheese gets all gooey and yummy.
Layer on freshly sliced tomatoes and lettuce.
Spread Dijon mustard on the cut side of the top buns and place over top to form your tuna melt sandwiches.

What’s the Best Cheese for Tuna Melt?

Like you would with any cheesy sandwich, use a good melting cheese.

Jalapeno cheddar was used here, but you can use a regular cheddar or something else, like Havarti, Gouda, mozzarella or American cheese slices.

Sides To Serve With This Sandwich

Aside from the potato wedges and soup (mentioned above), tuna melts are delicious paired with any of these:

Pickle (definitely recommended)
Pepperoncini peppers
Pickled onions
Potato chips (love those with a tuna melt)
Olives

Two tuna melt sandwiches with lettuce and tomato, one sandwich in front of the other.

Tips and Variations

This recipe can easily be doubled if you need more than two sandwiches.
Ensure your can of tuna is drained well! Otherwise, things may get soggy and nobody wants a soggy sandwich.
Instead of capers, try diced pickle.
Don’t have cayenne pepper? Try crushed red pepper flakes.
A drizzle of hot sauce here is lovely too.
Dried or fresh dill would make a yummy addition to the tuna salad mixture.
Make things lighter by switching out half the mayonnaise for some plain Greek yogurt.
Don’t have hamburger buns? Enjoy on your favourite variety of bread.
Tomato and lettuce were added after the cheese was melted for another element of colour, texture and flavour (optional). You can omit if you like or add other toppings, like sliced avocado or pickle. Alternatively, try another leafy green vegetable, like iceberg lettuce, baby spinach or baby arugula.

Overhead shot of two sandwiches next to pickles, hot peppers and potato chips.

More Yummy Tuna Recipes

If you make this classic tuna melt sandwich, be sure to leave a comment below!

Cheesy Tuna Melt Recipe

Dawn | Girl Heart Food

Print Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3

Total Time 13

Course Main Course

Servings 2 tuna melt sandwiches

Ingredients

1 (6-ounce or 170-gram) can tuna in water, drained well
¼ cup mayonnaise, plus more for the buns if desired
1 rib celery, finely chopped
1 stalk green onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon capers, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
pinch salt
2 hamburger buns, cut in half horizontally (if not already precut)
2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, about ½ cup
Sliced Tomato, to taste (optional)
Lettuce Leaves, to taste (optional)
1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard, or whole grain or yellow mustard

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mix well-drained tuna with mayonnaise, celery, green onion, capers, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt, stirring until well combined.
Spread mayonnaise to taste (if desired) over the cut side of the bottom buns.
Distribute tuna mixture over top of the bottom buns. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Set oven to broil. Place sandwiches onto a sheet pan and broil for about 2 to 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the sandwiches have warmed a little.
Note: You can toast the top buns at this point too. They'll be dressed with Dijon mustard after they're toasted.
If using, place the tomato and lettuce on top of the melted cheese.
Spread mustard over the cut side of the top buns. Place over top of the veggies (with mustard on the inside) to form the sandwiches. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe can easily be doubled if you need more than two sandwiches.
Ensure your can of tuna is well-drained!
If desired, instead of using hamburger buns, you can use your favourite sandwich bread.
Tomato and lettuce were added after the cheese was melted for another element of colour, texture and flavour (optional). You can omit if you like or add other toppings, like sliced avocado or pickle. Alternatively, try another leafy green vegetable, like iceberg lettuce, baby spinach or baby arugula.

A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Keyword canned fish recipe, canned tuna, easy lunch idea, tuna sandwich

Tried this recipe?

If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!