Open Faced Tuna Melt Sandwich Recipe

Last Updated on August 23, 2020 by Ellen Christian

This open faced tuna melt is made with homemade bread, topped with cheddar cheese and garden greens. Try the best open faced tuna melt today.

I love cooking with tuna because it’s such a healthy option. It’s loaded with omega 3 fatty acids and is high in magnesium and iron. Have you tried any of my other tuna recipes yet? My Easy Tuna Power Bowl is a great change from soup or salad for lunch. Or, this Easy Tuna Mason Jar Salad is a simple on the go lunch or light dinner. Or, why not try this Tuna Antipasto Salad at your next cookout.

 

Tips for Making an Open Faced Tuna Melt

This open faced tuna melt recipe is nothing like the one you remember from your childhood.  You know, the tuna melt on white bread, with lots of mayonnaise and American cheese?   This is a healthy tuna melt recipe that is lower in fat but still tastes amazing.

I have been trying to buy more products that are made in the United States. And, when it comes to tuna, I’ve been using tuna from American Tuna which is an American based company that has MSC Certified Sustainable Pole and Line Caught Albacore Tuna. Plus, it’s caught and canned in America.

What are the best toppings for tuna melts?

I tend to add some fresh garden greens to my sandwich because we have so many of them during the summer. But, you can also add slices of tomato. Or, why not try a slice of avocado. That’s a great way to add even more nutrition to your sandwich.

How to make a tuna melt

Ingredients for open faced tuna melts

• Bread
• Tuna
• Mayonnaise (try my homemade olive oil mayonnaise)
• Arugula or other fresh greens
• Celery seed
• Onion powder
• Chopped onion, celery or bell peppers (optional)
• Cheddar cheese (or mozzarella, Havarti, or Swiss)

Tools needed

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

All you need to do is drain the canned tuna and mix it with the other ingredients. Then, place a scoop of tuna on a slice of bread and top it with cheese. Place it in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts. Then, add fresh greens or your choice of sliced vegetables.

What should I serve with this?

There are lots of different sides for a tuna melt. Why not try my homemade cream of tomato soup. Or, these sweet cucumber sandwich pickles are a delicious choice as well. Why not try a handful of these homemade potato chips.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best bread for tuna melts?

Any type of firm bread will work well when making this sandwich. But, for the best open faced tuna melt, I really love the taste of homemade bread. You can use a thick cut bread or one that is thinly sliced. I also like an open faced faced tuna melt on an English muffin. There are lots of healthy toppings for English muffins.

But, there are other options as well. You can make this sandwich on a bagel, a pita, or a tortilla. And remember, you can use white or whole-grain options. It will really work on any type of bread. Just experiment until you find your favorite.

How do I melt the cheese?

In the traditional sandwich recipe, you use two pieces of bread and you fry or grill it on both sides to make the cheese melt. When you use only one piece of bread, you will need to bake or broil the sandwich so that the cheese melts. This eliminates the need for buttering the bread. And, it helps keep the carbs lower since you are using only one piece of bread for your sandwich.

Just place the open faced sandwich in the oven and heat until the cheese is melted. Don’t let it burn (unless you like it that way). 

How can I store leftovers?

When making open faced tuna melts, I only make enough sandwiches to serve. You can store leftover tuna filling in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to three days. If you have a sandwich that you want to reheat, just place it back under the broiler for a few minutes until the filling is bubbly.