Indulge in the comforting flavors of a Classic Tuna Melt, a timeless favorite that combines creamy tuna salad with gooey melted cheese, all nestled between slices of toasted bread. Follow this easy guide to recreate this nostalgic dish at home.
This Classic Tuna Melt recipe typically makes 4 sandwiches. Adjust the quantities based on your needs or the number of people you’re serving. Enjoy your delicious and satisfying Tuna Melts!
Ingredients:
For the Tuna Salad:
- 2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna, drained
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sandwiches:
- 8 slices bread (white, whole wheat, or your choice)
- 4 slices cheddar cheese or Swiss cheese
- Butter or mayonnaise for spreading
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Tuna Salad:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, chopped celery, chopped red onion, chopped parsley (if using), lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined and the ingredients are evenly distributed. You can also try the Greek Yogurt salad with different tuna dishes.
2. Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread.
- Place four slices of bread, buttered side down, on the skillet or griddle.
- Divide the tuna salad evenly among the four slices of bread, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Top each tuna salad-covered slice of bread with a slice of cheese.
- Place the remaining four slices of bread on top of the cheese, buttered side up, to form sandwiches.
3. Cook the Sandwiches:
- Cook the sandwiches on the skillet or griddle for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- If desired, you can cover the skillet or griddle with a lid or foil to help the cheese melt faster.
4. Serve:
- Once the sandwiches are cooked through and the cheese is melted, remove them from the skillet or griddle.
- Cut each sandwich in half diagonally, if desired, and serve hot.
- Enjoy your Classic Tuna Melt sandwiches with your favorite sides, such as potato chips, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.
Pro Chef Tips:
- For added flavor, consider adding ingredients like diced pickles, chopped olives, or a dash of hot sauce to the tuna salad mixture.
- Use your favorite type of bread for the sandwiches, whether it’s classic white bread, whole wheat, rye, or sourdough.
- Experiment with different types of cheese for the sandwiches or the salad, such as sharp cheddar, Swiss, provolone, or pepper jack.
- To add a crunchy texture, you can butter the outside of the bread and toast the sandwiches in a panini press or sandwich maker instead of on a skillet or griddle.