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!
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 about 10 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), mayo, 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 (using canned tomatoes, by the way!)
Why This Tuna Melt Recipe is Great!
- It’s made with a pantry staple, canned tuna, along with other basic pantry and fridge ingredients you probably have on hand
- Comes together in about 10 minutes
- It’s pretty budget-friendly
- Can be customized to taste with add-ins
- Of course, 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 A Tuna Melt
Full details on how to make a tuna melt sandwich are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Start by mixing your well-drained tuna with mayo, celery, green onion, capers, lemon juice, cayenne, pepper and salt.
- Spread some mayo on the bottom of your hamburger buns.
- Top with tuna salad mixture.
- Now goes a generous layer of shredded cheese.
- Place your tuna melts in the oven so that the cheese gets all gooey and yummy.
- Spread Dijon mustard on the top buns.
- Layers on freshly cut tomatoes.
- Then goes a slice of lettuce.
- Finally, assemble your sandwich and enjoy!
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What’s The Best Cheese for Tuna Melt?
Like you would with any cheesy sandwich, opt for 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.
Other Sides To Serve With This Sandwich
- Pickle (definitely recommended)
- Pepperoncini peppers
- Pickled onions
- Potato chips (love those with a tuna melt)
- Olives
More Tips and Variations
Ensure your can of tuna is well-drained! Otherwise, things may get soggy and ain’t nobody got time for that!
Instead of capers, try diced pickle.
Don’t have cayenne, try red chili 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 mayo for some Greek yogurt.
Don’t have hamburger buns? Enjoy on your favourite variety of bread.
Tomato and lettuce were added for another element of colour, texture and flavour. You can omit if you like or add other toppings, like sliced avocado or pickle. Alternatively, try another green (use what you have on hand), like iceberg lettuce, baby spinach or baby arugula.
This recipe can easily be doubled if you need more than two sandwiches
Hope you love this classic tuna melt recipe as much as we do!
Did you make this cheesy tuna sandwich? That’s awesome! Love it if you leave a comment below.
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Cheesy Tuna Melt Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ounces canned tuna in water , drained well (about a 170 gram can before draining and 120 grams after draining)
- ¼ cup light mayo (plus more for bun, if desired)
- 1 stalk celery , finely chopped
- 1 stalk green onion , thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon capers , roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- pinch salt
- 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (I used 'jalapeno' cheddar, about ½ cup or 60 grams))
- 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or whole grain or yellow mustard)
- 2 hamburger buns (or your favourite bread)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine well drained tuna with mayo, celery, green onion, capers, lemon juice, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Mix to combine.
- Spread mayo to taste (if desired) on each hamburger bun.
- Distribute tuna mixture over bottom buns. Top with shredded cheese.
- Place sandwiches on a sheet pan and broil on high for about 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and sandwich has warmed a little.
- Spread mustard on top buns and cover sandwich. Enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure your can of tuna is well-drained!
- Instead of capers, try diced pickle.
- Don’t have cayenne, try red chili 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 mayo for some Greek yogurt.
- Don’t have hamburger buns? Enjoy on your favourite variety of bread.
- Tomato and lettuce were added for another element of colour, texture and flavour. You can omit if you like or add other toppings, like sliced avocado or pickle. Alternatively, try another green (use what you have on hand), like iceberg lettuce, baby spinach or baby arugula.
- This recipe can easily be doubled if you need more than two sandwiches
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Valentina
What a delicious tuna fish recipe. Everyone in my family will love this! Comforting, indeed! 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So happy to hear that! Thank you Valentina 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Totally comforting is right Dawn! I haven’t enjoyed a tuna melt in years. You’re inspiring me. Can’t wait to try. Pinned. Stay safe my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Happy to hear it! Thanks Mary Ann…you too 🙂
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
Your tuna sandwich is loaded with flavor. I love how you added just a touch of cayenne, so yummy!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Heidi 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I love that canned tuna and salmon are making a comeback! We’ve been eating tuna melts for years, but yours looks way better than any I’ve recently made!! I’ve got to try your recipe soon Dawn! Hope you had a great weekend! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Katherine 🙂 They’re a staple in our home! Have a great weekend too!
Never Ending Journeys
I love tuna, but never though to serve it with melted cheese on burger buns! This is such a great idea, thanks for sharing!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much! The cheese is classic for a tuna melt 🙂 So good!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
I’m a huge fan of tuna fish sandwiches so these tuna melts are just right up my alley! Love all that melted cheese!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thanks Kathy!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
I have always loved a great tuna melt and yours looks perfect 🙂 A great meal option for right now!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Jennifer 🙂
David @ Spiced
I absolutely love a good sandwich, and this tuna melt looks amazing! I feel like canned tuna gets a bad rap because of the tuna bakes that always showed up as kids. But I love that you are revisiting canned tuna here…and giving it a huge makeover at the same time. I would be all in on these sammiches for lunch today!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thank you David!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
A tuna melt is just the ultimate comfort food, and this looks superb. Love the idea of serving it in a burger bun! Delicious!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Alexandra 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
It’s been way too long since I’ve had a tuna melt! This looks soooo good, and you’re right about how comforting they are. Adding these to my dinner rotation soon!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kelsie! Hope you enjoy 🙂
[email protected]
Gosh this looks good! Love the idea of adding pickles and hot sauce – such a fun melt! Hope all is well, my friend! XO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Annie! Have a great weekend! XO
Marissa
I do love a good tuna melt and yours looks perfect, Dawn! Love the capers for a tangy, salty pop!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Marissa! They add such great flavour 🙂