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 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
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 ain’t nobody got time for that!
- 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.
More Yummy Tuna Recipes
If you make this classic tuna melt sandwich, be sure to leave a comment below!
Cheesy Tuna Melt Recipe
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 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, about ½ cup
- 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard, or whole grain or yellow mustard
- 2 hamburger buns, cut in half horizontally (if not already precut)
- Sliced Tomato, to taste (optional)
- Lettuce Leaves, to taste (optional)
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.
- If using, layer on tomato and lettuce.
- 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.
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!
Nancy
do you have to use capers?
Dawn | Girl Heart Food
Hi Nancy! No, you can certainly omit the capers if you like.
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. 🙂