Tuna melts are a comforting and quick dish perfect for any meal of the day. This easy recipe combines creamy tuna salad with fresh tomato slices and melted cheddar cheese on crispy English muffins. It’s a delightful mix of textures and flavors that can be whipped up in no time.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples. However, make sure you have white flaked tuna in water, Dijon mustard, and fresh green onion on hand. These ingredients might not be in everyone’s kitchen, so a quick trip to the supermarket may be necessary to gather these items.
Ingredients For Easy Tuna Melts
tomato: Adds a fresh and juicy element to the tuna melts.
English muffins: Provides a sturdy and crunchy base for the toppings.
cheddar cheese: Melts to perfection, adding a creamy and rich flavor.
white flaked tuna in water: The star of the tuna salad, offering a light and flaky texture.
celery: Adds a nice crunch to the tuna salad.
green onion: Provides a mild onion flavor to the mix.
mayonnaise: Binds the tuna salad ingredients together, adding creaminess.
Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy and slightly spicy kick to the salad.
lemon juice: Enhances the flavors with a bright and citrusy note.
salt: Seasons the tuna salad to taste.
pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the salad.
One reader, Barbi Metz says:
This easy tuna melts recipe is a game-changer! The combination of creamy tuna salad, fresh tomato, and melted cheddar on a crispy English muffin is simply delicious. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Highly recommend!
Key Techniques for Crafting Delicious Tuna Melts
How to combine tuna salad ingredients: Mix the tuna, celery, green onion, mayonnaise, dijon, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. How to broil: Place the English muffin halves on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes or until they start to brown. Remove from the oven. How to bake: Place the assembled tuna melts in the oven and bake at 400 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Optionally, broil for 1 minute if desired.
How To Make Easy Tuna Melts
Enjoy a sumptuous lunch with these tuna melts in broiled English muffins, layered with tomato and cheddar cheese. Prep this in 10 minutes!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1tomato,sliced
- 2English muffins,halved
- 2ozcheddar cheese
For the Tuna Salad:
- 6ozwhite flaked tuna in water,drained
- 1stalk celery,finely diced
- 1green onion,sliced
- ⅓cupmayonnaise
- 1tspDijon
- ½tsplemon juice
- salt and pepper,to taste
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
-
Combine tuna salad ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
-
Place the English muffin halves on a baking sheet and broil for 2 to 3 minutes or until they start to brown. Remove from the oven.
-
Divide the tuna mixture over the English muffins. Top with tomato slices and cheddar cheese.
-
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Broil for 1 minute if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 602.49kcal
- Fat: 41.48g
- Saturated Fat: 10.31g
- Trans Fat: 0.34g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 10.16g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 19.01g
- Carbohydrates: 30.26g
- Fiber: 4.21g
- Sugar: 3.09g
- Protein: 29.32g
- Cholesterol: 74.55mg
- Sodium: 864.06mg
- Calcium: 332.49mg
- Potassium: 515.39mg
- Iron: 3.51mg
- Vitamin A: 123.37µg
- Vitamin C: 10.95mg
One Simple Technique to Elevate Your Tuna Melt Game
To achieve the perfect texture for your tuna salad, make sure to finely dice the celery and green onion. This ensures even distribution and a consistent bite in every mouthful.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Easy Tuna Melts
Pre-make the tuna salad: Prepare the tuna salad ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly assemble the tuna melts when you're ready to cook.
Use pre-sliced cheese: Save time by using pre-sliced cheddar cheese instead of grating it yourself.
Toast in batches: Toast the english muffins in batches while you prepare the other ingredients to streamline the process.
Pre-slice the tomato: Slice the tomato in advance and store it in an airtight container to speed up assembly.
Use a toaster oven: If you have a toaster oven, use it to toast the muffins and melt the cheese simultaneously, saving oven preheating time.
Substitute Ingredients For Easy Tuna Melts Recipe
tomato - Substitute with red bell pepper: Red bell peppers provide a similar juicy texture and a sweet flavor that complements the tuna salad.
english muffins - Substitute with bagels: Bagels offer a similar chewy texture and can hold the toppings well without becoming soggy.
cheddar cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella melts well and has a mild flavor that pairs nicely with the tuna salad.
white flaked tuna in water - Substitute with canned salmon: Canned salmon provides a similar texture and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, offering a slightly different but delicious flavor.
celery - Substitute with cucumber: Cucumber adds a refreshing crunch and a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients in the tuna salad.
green onion - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and add a touch of color to the tuna salad.
mayonnaise - Substitute with greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture and a tangy flavor while being lower in fat and calories.
dijon - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard offers a similar tangy flavor with a bit more texture and visual appeal.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidic brightness and a slightly different citrus flavor that enhances the tuna salad.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor and a bit of saltiness to the tuna salad.
pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and a different kind of spiciness to the tuna salad.
How to Beautifully Present Tuna Melts
Use artisanal bread: Replace english muffins with a freshly baked, rustic sourdough bread to elevate the texture and flavor.
Shape the tuna salad: Use a ring mold to shape the tuna salad into a perfect circle on each bread slice for a refined presentation.
Layer with precision: Place thin, evenly sliced tomato rounds on top of the tuna salad, ensuring each slice is uniform in size.
Cheese artistry: Use a microplane to grate the cheddar cheese finely, creating a delicate, lacy layer that melts beautifully over the tomato.
Garnish with finesse: Add a small sprig of fresh parsley or a few microgreens on top of the melted cheddar cheese for a touch of color and elegance.
Plate with contrast: Serve the tuna melts on a dark slate or matte black plate to make the vibrant colors of the dish pop.
Drizzle with reduction: Finish with a light drizzle of balsamic reduction around the plate for a hint of sweetness and a visually appealing touch.
Accompany with a side: Pair the tuna melts with a small side salad of mixed greens, lightly dressed with a lemon vinaigrette to complement the flavors and add freshness.
Essential Tools for Making the Perfect Tuna Melt
Oven: Used to bake the tuna melts at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and to broil the English muffins.
Baking sheet: Holds the English muffin halves while they are being broiled and baked.
Small bowl: Used to mix the tuna salad ingredients together.
Mixing spoon: Helps in combining the tuna salad ingredients thoroughly.
Knife: Essential for slicing the tomato and chopping the celery and green onion.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the tomato and chopping the celery and green onion.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the mayonnaise accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the Dijon mustard and lemon juice.
Can opener: Necessary for opening the can of white flaked tuna.
Spatula: Useful for spreading the tuna mixture evenly over the English muffins.
Oven mitts: Protects your hands when handling the hot baking sheet from the oven.
Storing and Freezing Tuna Melts: A Comprehensive Guide
- To store leftover tuna melts, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the tuna melts. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Label the container with the date and contents.
- Frozen tuna melts will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat one, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- To reheat a thawed tuna melt, unwrap it and place it on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
- Alternatively, you can reheat a tuna melt in the microwave. Place the unwrapped tuna melt on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high power for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until heated through.
- If you want to freeze the tuna salad mixture separately, place it in an airtight container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw the mixture in the refrigerator overnight before using it to make fresh tuna melts.
The Best Ways to Reheat Leftover Tuna Melts
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This gentle heat will warm the tuna melt without overcooking the tuna or making the english muffin too crispy.
Place the leftover tuna melt on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will prevent the melt from sticking and make cleanup easier.
If the cheese on top of the tuna melt looks dry or hard, add a fresh slice of cheddar cheese to help revive the texture and flavor.
Loosely cover the tuna melt with aluminum foil. This will help prevent the english muffin from burning or drying out while the interior warms up.
Bake the covered tuna melt in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until it's heated through. The exact time will depend on the size and thickness of your tuna melt.
For a crispy top, remove the foil during the last 2-3 minutes of reheating. This will allow the cheese to melt and bubble, and the english muffin to crisp up slightly.
Alternatively, you can reheat the tuna melt in a toaster oven. Follow the same steps as above, but reduce the reheating time to 5-7 minutes, checking frequently to avoid burning.
If you're in a hurry, you can also reheat the tuna melt in the microwave. Place it on a microwave-safe plate and heat it on high power for 30-60 seconds, or until it's warmed to your liking. However, keep in mind that the english muffin may become soft and soggy in the microwave.
Fascinating Trivia About Tuna Melts You Didn't Know
A fun fact about this tuna melt recipe is that it combines the classic flavors of a tuna salad with the comforting warmth of a melted cheese sandwich. This dish is believed to have originated in the United States during the 1950s, making it a nostalgic favorite for many.
Is Making Tuna Melts at Home Cost-Effective?
This easy tuna melts recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The primary ingredients like tuna, cheddar cheese, and english muffins are affordable and readily available. The vegetables such as tomato, celery, and green onion add freshness without breaking the bank. Overall, this recipe rates a solid 8 out of 10 for cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10-$12 USD.
Are Tuna Melts Healthy or Unhealthy?
The easy tuna melts recipe, while tasty, may not be the healthiest option due to a few factors:
- The recipe relies on mayonnaise, which is high in fat and calories. Although the recipe only calls for ⅓ cup, it still contributes to the overall calorie count.
- Cheddar cheese is also high in fat and calories, and the recipe doesn't specify a reduced-fat option.
- White flaked tuna in water is a lean protein source, but the recipe doesn't mention draining the tuna, which could lead to excess liquid and a slightly soggy texture.
- English muffins are a refined carbohydrate, which may not provide as much fiber and nutrients as whole-grain alternatives.
On the positive side, the recipe does include some vegetables, such as tomato, celery, and green onion, which provide vitamins, minerals, and a bit of fiber.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Swap the regular mayonnaise for a reduced-fat or avocado-based alternative to lower the calorie and fat content
- Use a reduced-fat cheddar cheese or a smaller amount of a stronger-flavored cheese, such as sharp cheddar or parmesan, to maintain the cheesy flavor while reducing the overall fat and calorie content
- Drain the tuna thoroughly to remove excess liquid and prevent sogginess
- Opt for whole-grain English muffins or a whole-grain bread alternative to increase the fiber content and provide more nutrients
- Add more vegetables to the tuna salad, such as diced bell peppers or shredded carrots, to increase the vitamin and fiber content
- Consider using a yogurt-based dressing instead of mayonnaise for a protein boost and a lighter alternative
Our Editor's Honest Opinion on This Tuna Melt Recipe
This easy tuna melts recipe is a delightful blend of simplicity and flavor. The combination of creamy tuna salad with the crunch of celery and the tang of dijon mustard creates a satisfying base. Topping it with fresh tomato slices and melted cheddar cheese adds a comforting, savory finish. The use of English muffins provides a sturdy and slightly crispy foundation, making each bite enjoyable. Overall, it's a quick and delicious option for a light lunch or dinner, perfect for busy days when you need something tasty and easy to prepare.
Enhance Your Easy Tuna Melts Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Delicious Alternatives to Traditional Tuna Melts
Ideal Appetizers and Desserts to Complement Your Tuna Melt
Why trust this Easy Tuna Melts Recipe:
This recipe is a perfect blend of simplicity and flavor. The tuna salad is enhanced with dijon and lemon juice, adding a zesty kick. Using cheddar cheese ensures a rich, melty topping, while tomato slices provide a fresh contrast. The english muffins create a crispy base, making each bite delightful. This easy-to-follow recipe guarantees a satisfying meal in under 30 minutes.
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