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Cheesy Tuna Melts

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This recipe is the best way to make tasty Cheesy Tuna Melts. This quick and easy sandwich takes your lunch (or dinner!) to the next level.

cheesy tuna melts on plates with potato chips

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Tuna Melts

Who doesn’t like a Tuna Melt, y’all? It’s a lunchtime staple for many people, and everyone I know remembers their parents making them as a kid! Everyone seems to have them on their variation on it. Restaurants even have them, too!

Lunchtime in the Love Bakes Good Cakes house often has some kind of sandwich – Iowa Ham Salad, Fairy Sandwich, Hawaiian Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich, BLT Avocado Chicken Salad Wraps, and this Italian Sub Sandwich are some of our faves.

Of course, we can’t always recall mom and dad’s recipe exactly … or figure out what’s in the one at our most beloved lunch places. So I’m sharing my tried-and-true Tuna Melt Sandwiches with you all today! They’re quick and simple, and easily customizable.

I have to be honest, though. I haven’t always been a fan of canned tuna. Somewhere into my adult life, I figured out this pantry staple was not only economical but pretty tasty, too.

Thankfully, I have no problem getting my family to eat these sandwiches! They’re nice to make when you need something quick and easy, and they’re easy on the budget! Tuna Melts are one of those incredibly filling, quick-and-easy recipes that taste good at any time of year! I hope you enjoy them!

three cheesy tuna melts stacked on plate

Recipe for Tuna Melts: Ingredients & Equipment

To make this Tuna Melt Sandwich, you’ll need …

Ingredients

  • tuna – the kind you get in water, though, of course, you’ll drain it. You can’t have a tuna melt without this!
  • green onion, mayo, celery, salt & pepper, and Mozzarella cheese: You’ll mix this in with your tuna for a flavorful tuna melt mix. 
  • French bread – the thick kind, preferably! Like, 1 inch kind of thick! You’ll need four slices to make two tuna melts. There’s NOTHING like a tuna melt on French bread, y’all.
  • softened butter – you’ll spread this on your French bread to toast it up in the oven.
  • Cheddar cheese – use shredded white cheddar. The sharper, the better. Melted over the top of your sandwiches, it’s sublime!

NOTE: If you like a little spice in your Tuna Melt, add some sriracha (or your fave hot sauce) to your tuna mix!

Equipment

  • mixing bowl – to put together your tuna mix.
  • baking sheet with aluminum foil – you’ll cook your Tuna Melts in the oven on this!
two cheesy tuna melts on white plate

Tuna Melt Sandwiches: FAQs

How long does it take to make this recipe for Tuna Melts?

You’ll only need about 25 minutes, a little less than a half-hour!! It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to prep the ingredients and 10 minutes to cook them.

How many Cheesy Tuna Melts does this make?

Four servings – or four sandwiches.

What are some good sides to have with these Tuna Melts?

I like to serve them with something like …
Green Bean Fries
Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Garlic Parmesan Parsley Potato Stacks

… depending on if it’s lunch or dinner. Honestly, though, even just a bag of chips pairs well with the recipe!!

Are there any good additions you can try with these Tuna Melts?

Though I think this mixture as written is good … almost perfect … I also know not everyone has the same tastes! Experiment with …
– Slices of tomato in the sandwich, or lettuce, carrots, avocado, pickles, etc
– A dash of dijon mustard to add more flavor to the mixture, or hot sauce/sriracha, as I said
– Relish or lemon juice in the mixture, again for more flavor
– Herbs like parsley or oregano

What substitutions do you recommend for these Cheesy Tuna Melts?

There are lots of ways to customize this recipe! You can try …
– White or red onion instead of green onion
– Different cheeses: Colby jack, American, Asiago, Monterey jack, etc
– Different kinds of bread: regular white, whole grain, hamburger buns, etc
– Avoiding the bread altogether and go for a lettuce wrap or tortilla

cheesy tuna melt on plate

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open face cheesy tuna melt on plate

Cheesy Tuna Melts

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is the best way to make tasty Cheesy Tuna Melts. This quick and easy sandwich takes your lunch (or dinner!) to the next level.

Ingredients

  • 1 can (12 oz.) tuna in water, drained
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced green onion
  • 1/4 cup finely diced celery
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise, or more to taste
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2/3 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • 4 slices (1-inch thick) French bread
  • Softened butter
  • 1/2 cup shredded white sharp Cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Place the tuna in a medium mixing bowl and break it apart with a fork. Add the green onion, celery, mayo, salt, pepper, and Mozzarella to the tuna and mix well. Refrigerate the tuna mixture until needed.
  2. Heat oven’s broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  3. Spread the butter generously over both sides of each piece of bread. 
  4. Place the bread on the prepared baking sheet and broil the bread until golden brown on top, about 2-3 minutes. Flip each slice of bread over and continue to broil until the second side is toasted, an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. 
  5. Gently spread the tuna mixture evenly over the four slices of bread, making sure you get all the way to the edges. Sprinkle the Cheddar cheese evenly over the tops of the sandwiches.
  6. Place the baking sheet with the sandwiches back into the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 5-6 minutes.

Notes

Though I think this mixture as written is good … almost perfect … I also know not everyone has the same tastes! Experiment with …

  • Slices of tomato in the sandwich, or lettuce, carrots, avocado, pickles, etc
  • A dash of dijon mustard to add more flavor to the mixture, or hot sauce/sriracha
  • Relish or lemon juice in the mixture, again for more flavor
  • Herbs like parsley or oregano

There are lots of ways to customize this recipe! You can try …

  • White or red onion instead of green onion
  • Different cheeses: Colby jack, American, Asiago, Monterey jack, etc
  • Different kinds of bread: regular white, whole grain, etc
  • Avoiding the bread altogether and go for a lettuce wrap or tortilla

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 358Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 615mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 13g

Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.

Did you make this recipe?

Did you try this recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and tag @lovebakesgoodcakes on Instagram with the hashtag #lovebakesgoodcakes so I can see what you made!

© Jamie Sherman
Cuisine: American / Category: Sandwich

Originally published on July 29, 2012. Updated on July 4, 2022.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Krista

    Yum! I love tuna! This looks so good! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Love "seeing" new faces. Have a blessed week & come back soon ~EMM

    Reply

  3. Julie

    Ha, your story reminded me of a time when I was a kid. I begged my mom to make a grilled cheese sandwich for me. Then when I finally had it, I took a bite and decided I didn't want it. My mom told me I had to eat it before I could go back outside to play. She actually wrapped it up and saved it for me and I finally ate it a little while later. Lesson learned – don't beg for something!

    Your tuna melt looks awesome. I love a good tuna melt! Thanks for sharing on Marvelous Mondays.

    Julie

    Reply

  4. Chaya

    I wish hubby would eat tuna, I would make this tonight. It is just the right thing for today.

    I forgot to my featured badge up but it is now planted on My Sweet and Savory, very proudly.

    Reply

  5. MM

    Thank you for linking with See Ya In the Gumbo.
    My mom did the same thing–eat it now or eat it later, but one way or another, you're going to eat it and not waste it!

    Reply

  9. Miz Helen

    Jamie, I just love a great Tuna Melt and your recipe looks delicious. Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

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Love Bakes Good Cakes delivers delicious and simple family-friendly meals. Find everything from healthier recipes to over the top desserts!