Description
This Tuna Melt Grilled Cheese Sandwich combines creamy tuna salad with melted cheddar cheese between buttery toasted bread slices. It’s a comforting, easy-to-make classic sandwich perfect for lunch or a quick dinner, featuring tender tuna mixed with mayonnaise, onion, and celery, grilled to golden perfection for a gooey, savory delight.
Ingredients
Tuna Filling
- 1 can tuna (5 oz), drained well
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp finely diced onion
- 1 tbsp finely diced celery or pickle relish
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch garlic powder or paprika
Sandwich
- 2 slices sandwich bread (white, wheat, or sourdough)
- 1–2 tbsp butter, softened
- 2 slices cheddar cheese (or American, or cheddar–mozzarella blend)
Instructions
- Make the tuna salad: In a bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, finely diced onion, and celery or pickle relish. Season with salt, black pepper, and optionally a pinch of garlic powder or paprika. Mix until the salad is creamy but not too wet.
- Assemble the sandwich: Butter one side of each bread slice evenly. Place one slice butter-side down on a clean surface. Layer one slice of cheese, then spread the tuna mixture evenly over the cheese. Add the second slice of cheese on top, and finish by placing the second bread slice on top, butter-side facing up.
- Grill low & slow: Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes on each side, pressing gently, until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese inside has melted and become gooey.
- Slice & serve: Remove the sandwich from the skillet and let it rest for 30 seconds to allow the cheese to set slightly. Then, cut the sandwich in half diagonally or down the middle, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute celery with pickle relish for a tangier flavor in the tuna salad.
- Using medium or sharp cheddar cheese gives a more pronounced cheese flavor.
- Grilling on medium-low heat ensures the cheese melts evenly without burning the bread.
- Letting the sandwich rest briefly before slicing helps prevent the filling from spilling out.
- To make it quicker, you can use a sandwich press or panini maker instead of a skillet.
