Description
This easy tuna melt is the ultimate comfort sandwich, combining creamy tuna salad, sharp cheddar, and crispy toasted bread. It’s quick, budget-friendly, and perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (6-ounce) cans white tuna in water, drained and flaked
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 slices sandwich bread
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 slices white cheddar cheese
- 1 large tomato, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s fully heated by the time your sandwiches are assembled.
- Make the tuna salad: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chopped celery, green onion, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is evenly incorporated and creamy.
- Prepare the bread: Spread softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. This buttered side will face outwards to create a golden, crispy exterior during baking.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Place half of the bread slices buttered-side down on a baking sheet. Spoon an equal amount of tuna salad onto each slice, spreading it evenly. Layer each with two slices of cheddar cheese and tomato slices if using. Top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side facing up.
- Bake the melts: Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden and crisp. Watch closely in the last couple of minutes to prevent burning.
- Cool and serve: Let the sandwiches rest for a minute after baking to make slicing easier. Serve warm with chips, salad, or soup.
Notes
- If you prefer a pan-fried version, cook the assembled sandwich in a nonstick skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes per side.
- For extra texture, add chopped pickles or red onion to the tuna salad.
- To make this melt dairy-free, use a vegan mayo and plant-based cheese.
- Want to make it spicy? A pinch of crushed red pepper or diced jalapeños will do the trick.
- If your bread is browning too quickly in the oven, cover loosely with foil and continue baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 624
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 911mg
- Fat: 47g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 94mg