Tuna Melt Recipe: Crispy, Cheesy Classic Comfort 2026

This tuna melt is the kind of sandwich that turns a can of tuna into something golden, gooey and genuinely satisfying. The filling mixes flaky tuna with mozzarella, crunchy celery and onion, capers and just enough mayo to hold it all together.

Buttered on the outside and griddled until the bread crackles and the cheese melts, it needs only about 15 minutes from start to finish. It is a perfect quick dinner, a lazy weekend lunch, or a late-night craving fix.

Ingredients for Tuna Melt

This recipe makes 1 generous sandwich.

• ½ celery stalk
• 1 scallion
• 1 small can of tuna
• 1 teaspoon capers
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons mozzarella cheese
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 2 thick slices of bread
• 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese, or 2 slices

How to Make Tuna Melt Step by Step

1. Mix the filling

Dice ½ celery stalk and finely chop 1 scallion. In a bowl, combine them with 1 small can of drained tuna, 1 teaspoon capers, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and 3 tablespoons mozzarella cut into small pieces. Stir until you have a homogeneous mixture, then season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

2. Butter the bread

Spread 1 teaspoon of butter over 2 thick slices of bread, covering one side of each slice.

3. Add the tuna filling

Leave the buttered side of the bread facing out and fill the inner side with the reserved tuna mixture, spreading it evenly.

4. Top with cheddar

Cover the tuna mixture with 2 tablespoons of grated cheddar cheese, or 2 slices of cheddar.

5. Close the sandwich

Top the filling with the other slice of bread, keeping the buttered side facing out.

6. Toast the sandwich

Toast the sandwich in a grill pan for about 2-3 minutes per side, until it is golden brown to your liking.

7. Serve right away

Serve the tuna melt freshly made, while the cheese is still melted and the bread is crisp.

Tips for the Best Tuna Melt

Swap the aromatics

Scallion is what we use here, but shallot or red onion work just as well. For the pickled note, capers are our favorite, though chopped pickles are a great alternative.

Butter the outside

Spreading butter on the outer faces of the bread is what gives the sandwich its golden, crunchy crust. As it heats in the pan, the cheese melts over the tuna mixture into something truly irresistible.

Keep it quick

This is ideal for a fast, delicious dinner. Have the filling ready and the pan hot, and the sandwich will be done in the time it takes to set the table.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

When street-food cravings hit or I'm feeding a crowd, out come this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These fuss-free Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make a great little appetizer or snack.

And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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