Cheesy Tuna Melt Recipe

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!

Hey 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, belly 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!

• They’re made with a pantry staple, canned tuna, along with other basic pantry and fridge ingredients you probably have on hand
• They come together in about 10 minutes
• They’re pretty budget friendly
• They can be customized to taste with add-ins
• Of course, they’re super comforting and delish!

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 a good melting cheese.

Jalapeño 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) or homemade potato chips
• Olives

How Long Does The Tuna Salad Mixture Last?

You can prep the tuna mixture ahead of time and store in a covered container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Assemble sandwiches, add cheese and warm when you are ready to enjoy.

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 in here it 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!

Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon,

Dawn

Make this cheesy tuna sandwich? That’s awesome! Love it if you left a comment and rating below. Many thanks!

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5 from 11 votes

Cheesy Tuna Melt Recipe

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!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

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

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 3 minutes

Total Time 8 minutes

Servings 2 sandwiches

Calories 390kcal

Author Dawn – Girl Heart Food

Ingredients

• 170 gram can of tuna packed in water , drained well (about 120 grams after draining)
• 1/4 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
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• pinch salt
• 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (I used 'jalapeno' cheddar, about 1/2 cup or 60 grams))
• 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or whole grain or yellow mustard)
• 2 hamburger buns (or your favourite bread)

Instructions

• Combined 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 in here it 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

 

 

Tried this recipe? That’s awesome!Mention @dawn.girlheartfood or tag #girlheartfood

Nutrition (estimate only)

Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 1074mg | Potassium: 287mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 576IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 308mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition Facts

Cheesy Tuna Melt Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 390 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Cholesterol 65mg22%

Sodium 1074mg47%

Potassium 287mg8%

Carbohydrates 27g9%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 29g58%

Vitamin A 576IU12%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 308mg31%

Iron 3mg17%

* Nutrition estimate only. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.