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 over the inside of the bottom hamburger buns.
- Top with tuna salad mixture.
- Now goes a generous layer of shredded cheese.
- Place your tuna melts into the oven so that the cheese gets all gooey and yummy.
- Spread Dijon mustard on the top buns.
- Layer on freshly cut tomatoes.
- Then add lettuce.
- Finally, place over your top bun (your can first spread a little mustard over the interior of the top bun, if you like) and enjoy!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to the Girl Heart Food Newsletter!
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 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 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.
Let’s Be Social!
Follow Girl Heart Food on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter for all the latest delicious eats! Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter!
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 pepper powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- pinch salt
- 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (I used 'jalapeno' cheddar, about ½ cup)
- 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or whole grain or yellow mustard)
- 2 hamburger buns (or your favourite bread)
- Tomato , sliced (to taste, optional)
- Lettuce Leaves (to taste, optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix well-drained tuna with mayo, celery, green onion, capers, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt, stirring until well combined.
- Spread mayo to taste (if desired) over the inside of the bottom buns.
- Distribute tuna mixture over top of the bottom buns. Top with shredded cheese.
- Place sandwiches onto a sheet pan and broil on high for about 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and sandwich has warmed a little.
- If using, layer on tomato and lettuce.
- Spread mustard over the inside of the top buns. Place over top of the veggies to form the sandwiches. Enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure your can of tuna is well-drained!
- 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 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.
