How to Make a Tuna Melt

The tuna melt recipe is a classic that combines tuna and cheese in a delicious open-faced sandwich. Chef John's shares a secret specialty here.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 594 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon minced green onion
• 1 (6.5 ounce) jar oil-packed tuna, drained
• 2 tablespoons finely diced celery
• 2 teaspoons capers, drained
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, or more to taste
• 1 teaspoon Asian chile paste (such as sambal oelek)
• 2 tablespoons softened butter, divided
• 2 thick slices French bread
• 0.33333334326744 cup fresh mozzarella cheese
• 0.25 cup shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place tuna into a mixing bowl and lightly break it apart with a fork. Add celery, green onion, capers, mayonnaise, and chile paste. Pinch in small pieces mozzarella and stir to mix. Season with salt and black pepper; refrigerate tuna salad until needed.

Step 2

Spread butter generously on both sides of French bread slices.

Step 3

Broil buttered bread until golden brown on top, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip bread slices and broil other side until toasted, 2 to 3 more minutes. Remove from the oven and turn bread slices over on the baking sheet so the darkest sides are on the bottom.

Step 4

Gently spread tuna salad onto bread slices using 2 forks. Press the salad onto the bread and spread tuna all the way to the edges of the bread. Spread shredded Cheddar over each sandwich. Dust tops with cayenne pepper.

Step 5

Place sandwiches under the broiler and cook until cheese is melted and bubbling, 5 to 6 minutes.

Step 6

Preheat the oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.