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If you’ve been saving that can of tuna in your pantry for a rainy day, these Cheesy Tuna Melt Sandwiches are a delicious way to turn a pantry staple into something crisp, cozy, and warm. And we have to admit, they are – quite literally – an ideal option for a rainy-day lunch.
There is something strangely comforting about these cheesy tuna melts that will make lunches delicious without being too heavy. And we have to say that even if you aren’t a fan of tuna, you may actually enjoy this sandwich! Each sandwich melt is packed with a super simple tuna salad mixture that is creamy, bright, and tangy. And when combined with the gooey, melted cheese and sourdough bread, it is a combo made in heaven. You probably already have most of the ingredients on hand to make these cheesy tuna melts.
The tuna mixture is a creamy, flavorful blend of canned tuna, fresh dill, green onions, chopped dill pickles, dijon mustard, mayo, and lemon juice. It’s piled onto thick slices of sourdough bread and topped with a couple slices of cheddar cheese. Cook them on the griddle until they are crisp and golden brown, and the cheese is melted and gooey.
In just about 10 minutes, you’ll be ready to devour a warm cheesy tuna melt. Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or you’re staring at the pantry wondering what to make, this cheesy tuna melt is an easy answer. Let’s dive into the deets!
Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Tuna Melt Sandwiches
- Simple ingredients. You may just have everything you need to make these cheesy tuna melts. With just a handful of the right ingredients, you can make a delicious sandwich.
- A super cozy sandwich without being too heavy. There is something about the warm tuna with the gooey cheese that tastes so comforting, but at the same time, the tuna feels light, which makes this sandwich not feel too heavy.
- Slightly crisp, tangy, and gooey. The blend of textures and flavors in this sandwich will have you wondering why you don’t make tuna melts more often.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Loaf of sourdough
- Skipjack tuna (in water)
- Scallions
- Dill pickles
- Fresh dill
- Dijon mustard
- Mayonaise
- Lemons
- Salt and pepper (to season)
- Sliced cheddar cheese
How to Make Cheesy Tuna Melt Sandwiches, Step by Step
Step 1. Drain Tuna and prep other mix-ins.
The filling of these sandwiches is essentially a super basic but flavorful tuna salad. Start by draining the cans of tuna to remove any extra liquid. Scrape the tuna into a medium mixing bowl and set to the side while you prep the rest of your mix-ins.
Next, finely chop a scallion, several dill pickles, and some fresh dill. Add that to the bowl with the tuna.
Lastly, measure out mustard, mayonnaise, and lemon juice and add that to the bowl. Use a large spoon or fork to mix everything. Once the mixture is evenly combined, you’re ready to start assembling the sandwiches and grilling.
Recipe Tip: We recommend using canned skipjack or albacore tuna for these sandwiches. Choose the option that is in water for the best flavor and texture. If you choose the ones in the oil or with salt added, it could affect the flavor and consistency of the mixture. If all you have is tuna in oil, you can use it. Just make sure you drain as much of the oil as you can out of the can.
Step 2. Heat skillet and assemble sandwiches.
You can use a griddle or a skillet to make these tuna melts. Heat your skillet over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes so that it can get hot before you grill the sandwiches.
While the skillet is heating, assemble the sandwiches. Start by laying down 1-2 slices of cheese on a slice of bread. Top with a thick spread of the tuna mixture and top with another slice of cheddar cheese.
Step 3. Grill sandwiches in a skillet or on a griddle until melted and warm.
Spread some butter on each side of the sandwich and place the sandwich in the skillet to cook. Heat for 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melty on the bottom before carefully flipping over. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until the other side.
Remove the sandwich from the skillet when the cheese is melted. If you’re making more than one sandwich, repeat this cooking method for the rest of the sandwiches.
Place the cooked sandwiches on a cutting board or plate, slice in half, and serve with a side of chips, fruit, or veggies!
Tip: If you see the bread is starting to burn, slightly reduce the heat. You want the bread to get brown and crisp, but you don’t want it to char.
Tips for Making Cheesy Tuna Melts
- Drain the tuna really well. Any excess liquid can make the tuna salad mixture watery. You don’t want a soggy sandwich. So make sure to press out as much water as you can from the can before mixing the filling together.
- Don’t overdo the mayonnaise. We recommend starting with about 1/3 cup of mayonnaise and then working your way up to 1/2 cup. You want the consistency of the tuna mixture to be creamy, not dry. But you want it to be thick enough to stay inside the sandwich.
- Use a sturdy bread. We love how the sturdy texture and the tangy flavor of sourdough for these tuna melts. You could also use a country loaf, French loaf or even English muffins.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and make sure that you allow time for the skillet to heat up before you start cooking the sandwiches. We have found medium heat works best for melting the cheese without burning the bread. But if you see your bread is burning, lower the temperature a smidge.
Recipe FAQ
Ways to Personalize your Tuna Melt
If you don’t have all the ingredients in this recipe on hand, check and see if you have any of these to swap.
- Swap Green onions for red onions
- Swap pickles for capers or relish
Here are some yummy additions to the sandwich
- Tomato Slices
- Romaine Lettuce
- Chopped celery (for extra crunch)
Serving suggestions for cheesy tuna melts.
Whether you’re making it for lunch or a quick cozy dinner, here’s what pairs well with these
- Lunch suggestion: With fresh veggies, fruit, or your favorite kettle-cooked chips or crackers
- Dinner suggestion: Serve sandwich with a soup or salad combo
Prepping sandwiches ahead of time and storing leftovers
If you’re meal prepping sandwiches, we recommend making the tuna mixture and storing it in an airtight container until you’re ready to assemble and cook your sandwich.
If you’re storing leftovers, wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container for up to two days.
More simple recipes to try:
Cheesy Tuna Melts
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Description
This cheesy tuna melt is the ultimate cozy lunch with creamy tuna salad, melty cheddar cheese, and toasted sourdough bread. A simple, quick, and cozy lunch for lunch or quick weeknight meals.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of sourdough bread, sliced
- 4 cans of tuna, drained well
- 1 scallion, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped dill
- 4 small dill pickles (or 1 large), finely chopped
- 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Zest and juice of one lemon
- Salt and pepper to season
- 8 slices cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Drain tuna well and add to a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the chopped scallion and pickles, mayonnaise, dill, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to season. Use a fork or large spoon to stir the mixture until evenly combined.
- Slice bread and spread a thin layer of butter on each bread slice.
- Flip the butter side facing out, place 1 slice of cheese down on the bread, and fill each sandwich with a thick spread of the tuna mixture. Top with a slice of cheddar cheese before placing another slice of bread on top (butter side up).
- Heat a skillet over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes before cooking the sandwiches. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook on each side for 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melty and the edges are golden brown. If you see the bread is starting to burn, slightly reduce the heat.
- Slice in half and enjoy hot with a side of veggies, fruit or chips!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
