Tuna Melts

Tuna Melts

A classic, comforting tuna melt with creamy tuna salad piled onto toasted bread and topped with melted cheddar. Quick, budget-friendly, and endlessly satisfying — this pantry-staple dinner comes together in under 20 minutes and is a guaranteed family favorite.

4 servings · Prep 10 min · Cook 8 min · Total 18 min

American · Lunch · Main Course

Tuna Salad

  • 2 can canned tuna in water drained well
  • 0.33 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 stalks celery finely diced
  • 2 tbsp red onion finely diced
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 0.25 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Main

  • 4 slice sourdough or whole grain bread thick-cut, about ¾ inch
  • whole grain bread
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese sliced or shredded
  • 2 medium tomato sliced thin

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet
  • Fork
  • Broiler
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Jelly Roll (10x15)
  • Cutting Board
  • Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
  • Dipping Fork

Instructions

  1. Drain the canned @[Tuna] thoroughly and add it to a medium #[Mixing Bowl]. Break up any large chunks with a fork. Add the @[Mayonnaise], @[Dijon Mustard], diced @[Celery], @[Red Onion], @[Lemon Juice], @[Kosher Salt], and @[Black Pepper]. Stir until evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  2. Lightly butter one side of each @[Sourdough Bread] slice. Heat a large #[Skillet] over ^[medium heat]. Place the bread butter-side down and toast for ~[2–3 minutes] until golden and crisp. Transfer toasted-side up to a foil-lined #[Baking Sheet].
  3. Divide the @[Tuna] salad evenly among the toasted @[Sourdough Bread] slices, spreading it all the way to the edges. If using, lay 1–2 @[Tomato] slices on top of the @[Tuna]. Top each open-faced sandwich with a generous layer of @[Sharp Cheddar Cheese].
  4. Position an #[Oven] rack about 6 inches from the #[Broiler] element and set the #[Broiler] to ^[high]. Broil the tuna melts for ~[3–5 minutes], watching closely, until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden in spots. Serve immediately.