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A perfectly grilled tuna melt sandwich cut in half and stacked, showing the gooey melted cheese and tuna salad filling.

Classic Diner-Style Tuna Melt

This classic diner-style tuna melt features a creamy, savory tuna salad perfectly sandwiched between two slices of golden-brown, buttered bread with gooey melted cheese. It's comfort food at its best!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Tuna Salad
  • 2 cans Tuna 5 oz each, drained
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 stalk Celery finely diced
  • 2 tbsp Red Onion finely minced
  • 1 tbsp Dill Pickle Relish or 1 small pickle, finely diced
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1/4 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp Black Pepper or to taste
For Assembly
  • 4 slices Bread your favorite sandwich bread (e.g., sourdough, white, whole wheat)
  • 2 tbsp Butter softened
  • 2 slices Cheddar Cheese or 1/2 cup shredded (e.g., sharp cheddar, Swiss, provolone)

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Can opener
  • Spatula
  • Large Skillet or Frying Pan
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Method
 

Prepare the Tuna Salad
  1. In a medium mixing bowl, flake the drained tuna with a fork. Add the mayonnaise, finely diced celery, minced red onion, dill pickle relish, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice. Mix gently until all ingredients are well combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Assemble the Sandwiches
  1. Lay the four slices of bread on a clean surface. Generously butter one side of each slice. This will be the side that browns in the skillet.
  2. Flip two of the bread slices so the unbuttered side is facing up. Evenly spread half of the tuna salad mixture onto each of these unbuttered sides. Place a slice of cheese (or half of the shredded cheese) on top of the tuna salad on each sandwich. Top with the remaining two slices of bread, buttered-side up.
Cook the Tuna Melts
  1. Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-low heat. Once warm, carefully place the assembled tuna melts into the pan.
  2. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is completely melted and gooey. You may need to press down gently with a spatula occasionally to ensure even contact with the pan. If the bread browns too quickly, reduce the heat.
Serve
  1. Once cooked, carefully remove the tuna melts from the skillet. Slice them in half diagonally and serve immediately with your favorite side, such as a pickle spear, chips, or a simple green salad.

Notes

**Cheese Variation**: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like provolone, Swiss, or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.
**Add-ins**: For extra crunch and flavor, consider adding a pinch of finely chopped bell pepper or capers to your tuna salad.
**Storage**: Tuna melts are best enjoyed fresh. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, but the bread will lose its crispness.