Description
Classic Tuna Melt brings comfort and nostalgia to sandwich lovers with its melty cheese and perfectly toasted bread. Crisp edges, creamy tuna filling, and golden-brown crust make this American diner favorite an irresistible lunch choice you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 (5-ounces / 142 grams) cans albacore tuna
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons white onions, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
Condiments and Seasonings:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dill or sweet relish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dry dill weed
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
For Tuna Melts:
- 6 slices bread
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 6 slices cheddar cheese, or American
Instructions
- Thoroughly drain canned tuna, breaking it into fine, uniform pieces using a fork to ensure smooth texture.
- In a medium mixing bowl, blend tuna with mayonnaise, finely chopped celery, minced onion, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed and create a cohesive salad mixture.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low temperature, adding of unsalted butter to melt smoothly across the cooking surface.
- Place bread slices into the buttered skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crisp exterior, approximately 2-3 minutes per side, creating a crunchy foundation for the sandwich.
- Remove toasted bread slices and arrange them on a clean work surface, preparing for assembly.
- Layer the prepared tuna salad generously across three bread slices, ensuring even coverage from edge to edge.
- Top each tuna-covered slice with two full slices of sharp cheddar cheese, creating a rich, melty layer.
- Complete the sandwich construction by placing the remaining toasted bread slices on top, with golden surfaces facing outward.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Transfer the assembled sandwiches to the prepared baking sheet, allowing sufficient space between each sandwich.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, monitoring until cheese becomes completely melted and sandwiches are heated thoroughly throughout.
- Remove from oven, let cool for 2-3 minutes, then slice diagonally and serve immediately while warm and crispy.
Notes
- Drain tuna thoroughly to prevent soggy sandwiches and ensure a perfect texture.
- Toast bread in butter for a crispy, golden-brown exterior that adds rich flavor and satisfying crunch.
- Use medium-low heat when toasting to avoid burning and achieve even golden coloration.
- Layer cheese generously between tuna and bread for maximum melty goodness and gooey consistency.
- Bake sandwiches on a foil-lined sheet for easy cleanup and even heating.
- Allow sandwiches to rest briefly after baking to let cheese set and flavors meld together.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 404 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg