They’re classic, comforting and the perfect way to upgrade your lunch game. While they’re typically associated with nostalgic childhood lunches, they need not be limited to the school lunch rooms of your past. Upgrade these classic sandwiches with gourmet ingredients to take them to a whole new level.
Making the Perfect Tuna Melt Sandwich
The key to a really special tuna melt is all in the quality of the ingredients. The better quality fish, bread and condiments you use, the better it will taste.
Here are the essential elements that go into making the perfect sandwich:
Tuna. To make you tuna melt, you should use high-quality canned tuna. You can opt for tuna packed in oil or in brine, both work well in melts.
Bread. As far as bread is concerned, any sliced white bread will do, but try adding a hint of gourmet flair by using a good-quality sourdough or whole-wheat loaf,
Cheese. Look for cheese slices that melt evenly, like cheddar, Gruyere, Colby, Swiss or Provolone.
Other Toppings. Once you have your three main ingredients, you can customize your tuna melt by adding other flavor boosters, like crispy bacon, sliced tomatoes, diced red onions, spinach, or jalapenos. Pick and choose whatever you feel like.
Condiments. Mayonnaise is the classic choice to top off your tuna melt, but you can experiment with flavored mayonnaises, tapenades and pestos.
Instructions for a Perfect Tuna Melt
Once you’ve rounded up all the necessary ingredients, putting together the perfect tuna melt is easy. Here’s how to assemble one:
Step 1: Preheat the broiler
Adjust your oven’s rack to the top position near the heating element, about 6 inches away from it. Turn your broiler on and set to high. Allow the oven to heat up for till the element is glowing red.
Step 2: Lightly Toast the Bread
Grab a baking sheet and lightly coat it with oil. Place the bread slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Pop the baking sheet into our preheated oven and lightly toast the bread until they’re golden brown.
Step 3: Assemble the Sandwiches
Divide the tuna salad between the slices of bread. Arrange the cheese slices on top of the tuna and top with some of the extra toppings, like bacon or tomato slices. Place the remaining slices of bread on top to create 4 sandwich halves.
Step 4: Broil
Put the assembled sandwiches back on the baking sheet and pop it back into the preheated oven. Let them broil for a few minutes until the cheese melts and the bread is golden brown.
Step 5: Serve
When the sandwiches are ready, take them out of the oven and serve immediately with a dollop of mayonnaise or condiment.
Why Tuna Melts?
Tuna melts make for the perfect lunch for several reasons:
They’re Customizable
Tuna melts are the perfect blank canvas for creativity. What you add to them is limited only by your imagination and the ingredients you have in your pantry.
They’re Quick and Easy
Tuna melts are incredibly quick and easy to make. They take less than 10 minutes to prepare and cook.
They’re Filling
Tuna is packed with protein, as well as healthy fats and minerals. It also contains Vitamin B-12 that helps strengthen the immune system.
They’re Delicious!
Not only are tuna melts quick and easy to make, they’re also delicious. The combination of melted cheese and gourmet ingredients, like bacon and pesto, make for the perfect lunchtime treat.
Deluxe Tuna Melt Recipes
Now that you know how to make the perfect gourmet tuna melt sandwich, let’s take a look at a few deluxe recipes to give it a special twist:
Bacon and Pesto
Tuna Melt
Simply replace your mayonnaise with a tablespoon of pesto and top with crumbled crispy bacon to create a flavor-packed tuna melt.
Apple and Cheddar
Tuna Melt
Create a sweet and savory tuna melt by adding a finely diced apple and cheddar cheese slices after the bread has finished toasting.
Caprese Tuna
Melt
Top your tuna melt with slices of fresh tomatoes, and slices of fresh mozzarella cheese. Add a sprinkle of fresh basil to kick it up a notch.
Ranch Tuna Melt
Love ranch dressing?
Try replacing your mayonnaise with it. Add some crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese to create the perfect ranch-style tuna melt.
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese
For a gourmet touch, replace your canned tuna with smoked salmon and mayonnaise with cream cheese. Top with red onions and dill for a heavenly flavor combination.
Tuna melts are a classic lunchtime treat. They’re simple to make, customizable, and packed with healthy Omega-3s. Upgrade your tuna melt by picking the best-quality ingredients, adding gourmet toppings, and creating unique flavor combinations – all with just a few ingredients. Enjoy your deluxe tuna melt with friends and family!
