Tuna Melt Classic Open-faced (Printer-friendly)

A warm open sandwich with creamy tuna salad, melted cheddar, and tomato on toasted bread.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tuna Salad

01 - 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna in water, drained
02 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
03 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
04 - 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
07 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Sandwich

09 - 4 slices hearty bread (sourdough or whole wheat)
10 - 4 slices tomato
11 - 1 cup (about 4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese (or Swiss, Gruyère)
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven broiler or set a toaster oven to broil.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, celery, red onion, parsley if using, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly mixed.
03 - Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet and lightly spread softened butter on one side of each slice. Place them buttered side up under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until golden. Remove from oven.
04 - Flip the bread slices so the toasted side is down. Evenly distribute the tuna salad over each slice, then layer with a slice of tomato and a generous sprinkling of shredded cheese.
05 - Return the baking sheet to the broiler and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, basting carefully until the cheese melts, bubbles, and edges turn golden brown.
06 - Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly, then serve warm.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes, which means weeknight dinner doesn't feel like a production.
  • The contrast between crispy bread and creamy tuna filling with melted cheese is honestly addictive.
  • This is the kind of sandwich that feels indulgent but isn't—it's wholesome enough to serve to anyone.
02 -
  • Drain your tuna properly or your sandwich will be soggy; I learned this the disappointing way by ignoring the water pooling in the can.
  • Every broiler behaves differently, so don't walk away—standing there watching means you catch it at perfect golden rather than slightly charred.
03 -
  • Keep your broiler setting consistent and don't skip the watching—that golden moment only lasts seconds before it becomes too much.
  • If you prefer a lighter version, swap half the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt and nobody will notice the difference except in how good you feel about it.
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