This easy Classic Tuna Melt is absolutely delicious.
I love this traditional, homemade classic tuna melt. It’s filled with cheese and served hot. So yummy!
I think this recipe is best because it comes from my Nan. It’s amazing how such a simple sandwich can produce so much incredible flavor. You’ll love easy it is to make from scratch. A great option for a quick snack or a hearty dinner for your family on a busy evening.
I’m confident you’ll think the filling is exceptional when partnered with fresh bread, butter and lots of cheese! Take a few minutes to grill it up in an old skillet and you’ll have a delicious melt sandwich you’ll want seconds of.
I hope you enjoy this classic tuna melt as much as I do!
As a little girl, I can remember quiet afternoons at my grandmother’s house after school, enjoying a hot tuna melt sandwich with her.
Nan would cook me a golden brown tuna melt on the stove and serve it to me hot with potato chips and a pickle spear while I did my homework.
We would chat about my day while I ate and did my worksheets. I would tell Nan all about what was happening at school and she would offer me her insights and stories. Those are some of my favorite memories from growing up.
It’s amazing the power taste can have over our memories. One bite of a tuna melt and I am transported back to Nan’s kitchen table, noshing on a hot, cheesy sandwich and working on math.
Because of these memories, I knew when Sam started school, I wanted to continue these traditions with him.
We often head into the kitchen when Sam returns home after his day so we can create and enjoy a snack together.
In my experience, having him help me in the kitchen is a great way to get him relaxed so we can talk about his day at school.
I love hearing about his day, what’s going on with his friends and what he’s learning.
While we work side by side, he spills the beans and we’re able to chat about what he’s experiencing.
It’s precious time together.
And I think a simple tuna melt with cheese is the very best snack to enjoy while making these memories!
What is a Tuna Melt?
A melt is a sandwich that contains bread, cheese and some type of filling such as meat or veggies.
In our case, it’s tuna.
It’s then heated until the cheese is melted. You can serve it as an open faced or closed face sandwich.
In my experience, you can’t go wrong with a hearty filling and lots of melted cheese when it comes to creating a delicious recipe to enjoy.
This classic grilled tuna sandwich is made from staples you’ll already have in your kitchen, making it the perfect option for a quick afternoon snack.
You’ll need two cans of tuna for our recipe. You’ll also want to grab an onion, celery, garlic, parsley, mayo, olive oil and mozzarella cheese.
Tuna Melt Ingredients You Will Need
- Tuna, 2 cans, drained
- Onion, medium size, chopped
- Celery, 1/2 a stalk, chopped
- Garlic (1 clove), minced
- Parsley, 1 tablespoon, chopped
- Mayonnaise, 3-4 tablespoons
- Olive Oil, 3 tablespoons, divided
- Mozzarella, 1/3 cup, shredded
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh Black Pepper, to taste
- Bread, sliced
- Butter, softened
How to Make a Tuna Melt
This easy tuna melt recipe is so good and it comes together in a snap!
Start by draining the water or oil from the tuna. Then fork the tuna into a medium bowl. Sam likes to help me with this part while I do the chopping.
Chop the onion, celery and parsley. Mince the garlic and add your ingredients to the tuna.
Next, add the mayo, olive oil and mozzarella cheese.
Mix all the ingredients until they’re well incorporated. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Place a non-stick skillet on the stove and add one tablespoon of olive oil.
Once your skillet is hot, take a slice of bread and generously spread butter on one side.
Place the buttered side down in the hot skillet.
Using a spoon, scoop about two tablespoons of the tuna mixture on the bread while it is browning.
Butter your second slice of bread and place the non-buttered side on top of the tuna.
Once the first side is toasted brown, use a spatula to flip the tuna melt over and grill the second side golden brown as well.
When the tuna melt is golden brown on both sides, remove from the skillet and set on a paper towel until it’s cool enough to serve.
If you have a panini press, you could also use that to create this tasty treat.
Trust me, it’s the best tuna melt you’ll ever hope to have!
What Goes with a Tuna Melt?
Sam likes to enjoy his sandwich with potato chips and pickle spears like his mama.
We also enjoy it with a plate of crisp veggies, like sliced bell peppers and carrots or a bowl of fresh, sweet fruit.
I also enjoy this crunchy classic coleslaw alongside my sandwich. It’s the a great mix of flavors that compliments any meal. You really can’t go wrong!
Head into the kitchen with your kiddos after school and make this classic tuna melt with them! Enjoy!
More Recipes You Will Love
- Plan a great backyard get to-together with these Veggie Grilled Avocado Tacos.
- Cook up this Easy Baked Ziti Recipe for a delicious and simple dinner idea.
- Check out this delicious cowboy casserole recipe our family always enjoys.
Classic Tuna Melt
Ingredients
- Tuna 2 cans, drained
- Onion medium size, chopped
- Celery 1/2 a stalk, chopped
- Garlic 1 clove, minced
- Parsley 1 tablespoon, chopped
- Mayonnaise 3-4 tablespoons
- Olive Oil 3 tablespoons, divided
- Mozzarella 1/3 cup, shredded
- Salt to taste
- Fresh Black Pepper to taste
- Bread sliced
- Butter softened
Instructions
- Drain water or oil from tuna, then fork tuna into a medium bowl.
- Chop onion, celery, and parsley.
- Mince garlic and add ingredients to tuna.
- Add mayonnaise, olive oil and mozzarella cheese.
- Combine all ingredients until well incorporated. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Place a non-stick skillet on the stove and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- When skillet is hot, take a slice of bread and generously spread butter on one side.
- Place bread buttered side down in hot skillet.
- Using a spoon, scoop about 2 tablespoons of tuna salad on bread while it is browning. Butter another slice of bread and place non-buttered side on top of tuna.
- Utilizing a spatula, check to see if bread is toasted brown; if so, turn tuna melt over and grill until golden brown.
- Set tuna melt on paper towels and allow to cool enough to serve.
Video
Nutrition
One of my favorite lunchtime sandwiches!
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Wow! This is absolutely best tuna melt I’ll ever taste!
How is the calorie count calculated because it makes no sense. 220 calories or 220kcal?
I lime to put sliced tomatoes on my tuna melts. This recipe looked so yummy. I will try this, with sliced tomato, of course.
Small or large cans of tuna?
I love this recipe, so easy and comforting!
Where is cheese?
You mix the cheese right in the recipe. Very delicious. Enjoy!
This is an excellent recipe.
what.size cans please?
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I used the regular sized can – I believe it’s 5 ounces. Hope you enjoy!
Absolutely the best tuna melt I have ever had. My husband really liked it and kept saying so all evening!! Thanks for the recipe!!
Favorite new recipe!! Yummy 😋