Description
This Tuna Melt Sandwich recipe is a delicious and satisfying meal combining a classic tuna salad with melted cheese and fresh vegetables, all served on toasted hamburger buns. Perfect for a quick and comforting lunch or light dinner, it features a creamy tuna mixture loaded with crunchy celery, tangy pickles, and hard-boiled egg, topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh cucumber, avocado, tomato, and greens for a balanced taste and texture.
Ingredients
Tuna Mixture
- 2 cans tuna (5 oz. each, wild-caught Albacore tuna packed in water), drained
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- 2-3 small pickles, chopped
- 1 hard boiled egg, peeled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sandwich Assembly
- 4 hamburger buns, sliced in half
- 8 slices cheddar cheese (or provolone, mozzarella, or Havarti)
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, ripe, sliced
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- ½ cup salad greens or arugula
- 4 cornichons (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tuna Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the drained tuna, chopped celery, chopped pickles, chopped hard boiled egg, chopped parsley, mayonnaise, lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while assembling the sandwiches.
- Assemble Sandwiches for Baking: Lay the sliced hamburger buns on a baking sheet. Place one slice of cheese on the bottom half of each bun. Then evenly divide the tuna mixture, spreading about ½ cup on top of the cheese. Place another slice of cheese on each top bun. Arrange the top and bottom buns on the baking sheet, cheese side facing up.
- Bake Sandwiches: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the sandwiches are heated through. Remove from the oven and let them cool for a minute.
- Finish Assembly: On each bottom bun with tuna melt, layer thin slices of cucumber, avocado, tomato, and a few salad greens or arugula leaves. Top with the other half of the bun (the one with the cheese slice on top).
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish each sandwich with a cornichon on the side. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your flavorful tuna melt sandwich.
Notes
- For variation, substitute cheddar cheese with provolone, mozzarella, or Havarti based on preference.
- Using wild-caught Albacore tuna packed in water keeps the flavor clean and less oily.
- You can toast the buns before assembling for extra crunch if desired.
- Adjust the amount of mayonnaise to control the creaminess of the tuna filling.
- Add a dash of hot sauce or Dijon mustard into the tuna mixture for a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
