I’ve had a ton of requests for easy lunch recipes now that so many of us are working from home. Salads and leftovers are great — but a sizzling Tuna Melt Sandwich is even better, don’t you think?!
Gwen and I split a batch of tuna salad for lunch at least once a week. It’s an easy, healthy option for both of us and we usually dunk into it with a handful of crackers. That said, stuffing the tuna salad mixture between slices of buttered bread, topping with cheddar cheese, then sizzling until golden brown in a hot skillet is a total treat.
Plus this protein-packed combo keeps me full until dinner time. If you struggle with constant snacking during the day, you won’t even think twice about it with this filling lunch in your belly!
A good, warm, toasty, cheesy tuna melt ranks high on my list of favorite sandwiches. There’s just something so idyllic and comforting about a creamy tuna mixture stuffed between two slices of crisp fried bread. In my book, a good tuna melt must meet a few criteria. First, the cheese must be fully melted and oozy.
But those of us outside Italy know that plenty of types of fish can more than hold their own against cheese, with perhaps one of the most illustrative examples of this synergy being the humble — and delicious — tuna melt. A delicious mashup of a grilled cheese and a tuna salad sandwich, the diner classic features tuna salad heaped on good bread with cheese and then griddled until the cheese goes all melty (via The Spruce Eats), or alternatively served open-faced after a quick trip under the broiler (via Martha Stewart). If youre craving a tuna melt, or want to whip up a cold tuna salad and cheese sandwich, these are the very best cheeses to pair with the canned staple.
Although we cant agree with the common prohibition on mixing fish and cheese, its definitely a good idea to select a mild cheese when setting out to make a tuna melt or a cold tuna salad sandwich. According to The Cheese Empire, a creamy cheese with good melting properties that doesnt have too strong a flavor is the best way to go, with the outlet citing mozzarella, cheddar, and Gruyère as excellent choices to layer onto a tuna melt (or a toastie, as grilled cheese sandwiches are dubbed in the UK).
If youve ever sampled a white clam pizza, a bagel with cream cheese and lox, or oysters Rockefeller, to name a few examples, then you know how beautifully cheese can pair with seafood. However, you might also be aware of the common culinary trope that states never to mix fish and cheese. According to Atlas Obscura, this “rule” is flagrantly disregarded in traditional dishes from all over the world, and yet somehow remains common knowledge; the site states that the original interdiction on this often-delicious combination arose in Italy, where “Italians are very religious about mixing cheese and fish or seafood, it just isnt done,” as Italian cookbook author Julia della Croce told the outlet.
If you prefer a cold tuna salad sandwich, then fresh, unaged cheeses make a perfect neutral-but-creamy option to pair with your fish. According to The Cheese Empire, a nice schmear of cream cheese is a great addition to a tuna salad sandwich, while Simply Recipes suggests mixing cottage cheese right into the tuna salad for extra creaminess and richness. So if you love tuna salad and you love cheese, take heart in the knowledge that the two can always be combined in one epic sandwich.
How to Make a Tuna Melt Sandwich
In a small bowl add a drained can of wild-caught albacore tuna then mash a bit with a fork. Next add your favorite mayonnaise, plus minced pickle spears, or a big scoop of relish, and homemade steak seasoning then stir to combine.
My homemade steak seasoning contains your standard salt and black pepper, plus bold yet everyday herbs and spices that I promise you’ve got on hand. The mixture really shines in the final sandwich!
This is our FAVORITE brand of canned tuna, by the way. It’s a little pricey at the regular grocery store but Costco sells them in a stack for a great price. If you can’t find this particular brand, look for water-packed tuna in whatever brand you can find.
Butter two slices of bread then scoop the tuna salad onto the plain side of one slice. Top with a slice of cheddar cheese then toast on a griddle or in a skillet over medium heat until hot and golden brown on both sides. OH MY WORD, such a fabulous step up from your standard cold tuna salad sandwich!
My Tuna Melt recipe is clearly very simple and what I’d call a classic tuna melt. That said feel free to jazz yours up to fit your tastes. Here are some ideas:
- Open the hot sandwich up then add thinly sliced raw red onion, pickled red onions, tomato slices, or avocado slices.
- Save a few carbs and serve the sandwich open-faced. Brown on the bottom in a skillet then pop it under the broiler to melt the cheese.
- Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on one of the bread slices before toasting for a zing of flavor.
- Add a couple teaspoons drained capers to the tuna salad mixture for a burst of briny flavor in each bite.
- Fresh chives or sliced green onions/scallions in the tuna salad add brightness and crunch.
Cheesy Tuna Melt | Tuna Sandwich | Hungry Mom Cooking
FAQ
What cheese goes good with tuna?
Can you eat tuna with cheese?
Is a tuna and cheese sandwich healthy?
What cheese goes with tuna?
Chevre is a cheese that has a creamy and spreadable texture, making it the perfect cheese to put on top of a tuna sandwich. Chevre also has a mild and buttery flavor that pairs well with the tuna. Chevre can be found at most grocery stores, and it’s easy to find in packs of two or three.
Which is better, salmon or tuna?
Wild salmon is healthier, but it is also harder to find and more expensive. But if we compare farmed salmon with wild tuna, tuna wins.
Can you add cheese to a tuna sandwich?
Cheese is a popular addition to many dishes, but it’s especially popular in tuna sandwiches. Adding cheese to a tuna sandwich can transform the dish from basic to extraordinary. Not only does cheese add flavor and richness, but it also bind together the bread and tuna, making the sandwich more filling and easier to eat.
Does goat cheese go well with tuna sandwiches?
This means that it pairs well with tuna sandwiches because it will add a punch of flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. Goat Cheese also has a high protein content which makes it an excellent choice for people who are looking to boost their nutrient intake.