Cheesy Spinach Tuna Melt

What Makes This Tuna Melt So Good?

This isn't your ordinary tuna melt sandwich. Gruyère melts into the filling for plenty of rich, cheesy flavor, while Parmesan pressed onto the buttered bread creates a savory, crispy crust. Fresh spinach adds a slightly earthy flavor and nutritious greens, while a splash of lemon juice brightens the tuna salad and balances all that cheesy goodness.

The result is a tuna melt with spinach that's warm, creamy, and melty inside with a perfectly golden, crunchy crust.

Ingredients and Their Role in the Tuna Melt

This easy recipe has two simple components: a creamy tuna salad and the ingredients that turn it into a hot, crispy, cheesy sandwich. This is what you'll need:

Tuna Salad

• White albacore tuna - Provides the savory base of the filling. Tuna packed in water keeps the salad from becoming overly rich.
• Lemon juice - Adds a bright citrus note that balances the savory tuna, mayonnaise, and cheese.
• Celery - Brings fresh flavor and plenty of crunch to the creamy tuna salad.
• Onion - Adds a slightly sharp, savory bite.
• Pickles - Bring tanginess and crunch that cut through the richness of the mayonnaise and cheese.
• Mayonnaise - Binds everything together and gives the tuna salad its creamy texture.

Sandwich

• Bread - Provides a sturdy base for all that tuna and cheese. Sourdough, rye, and whole grain are all great options.
• Butter - Helps the outside of the bread become crisp and beautifully golden in the skillet.
• Parmesan cheese - Pressed onto the buttered bread to create a crispy, savory cheese crust as the sandwich cooks.
• Gruyère cheese - A wonderfully melty cheese with a rich, slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with tuna.
• Spinach - Adds fresh color, nutritious greens, and a mild earthy flavor that complements the rich cheese.

Best Cheese for a Tuna Melt

The best cheeses for tuna melts are flavorful varieties that also melt smoothly. Gruyère is perfect for this recipe because it becomes wonderfully creamy when heated and has a nutty, savory flavor.

Cheddar, Swiss, provolone, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella are other good choices.

This sandwich actually uses two cheeses for two different purposes. Gruyère creates that gooey, melty layer inside, while Parmesan creates the crisp cheese coating outside. Using a melty cheese inside and a harder cheese for a crisp exterior is the best of both worlds.

Best Bread for a Tuna Melt

Choose bread that's sturdy enough to support the creamy tuna filling and plenty of melted cheese. Sourdough, rye, and whole-grain bread all work well.

Slices with a relatively tight crumb are helpful because the tuna and melted cheese are less likely to escape through large holes.

Brioche is another delicious choice if you prefer a softer bread with a slightly sweet, buttery flavor.

How to Make a Tuna Melt on the Stove

Making a tuna melt in a skillet is simple, and cooking it over moderate heat gives the Gruyère time to melt while the Parmesan-coated bread becomes beautifully golden and crisp. Here's what to do:

To make tuna salad:

1. Place two cans of tuna fish, drained, in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Add chopped celery, onions, pickles, and mayonnaise.
2. Stir well. Add more mayonnaise if you like a moister salad.

Chef's Tip: Well-drained tuna is one of the keys to a crisp tuna melt.

To assemble sandwich:

1. Butter one side of each of the 8 slices of bread. Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese and press to help it adhere.
2. Place half of the bread slices, buttered side down, on a griddle or skillet. (I had to do mine in batches.) Using half of the gruyere cheese, divide it evenly and top the 4 slices.
3. Scoop a serving of tuna salad, not too much or it will spill out, and place it on top of the cheese. Very carefully spread it out to cover the cheese and bread.
4. Lay a few spinach leaves on top of the tuna salad then finish by topping each sandwich with the remaining gruyere cheese.
5. Place your remaining bread slices on top of the cheese, buttered side up.
6. Turn stove to medium heat and cook the sandwich for 3-4 minutes or until bread is nice and toasty. Carefully turn over and cook for another 3 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Recipe Tips for Success

A great tuna melt is all about getting the filling creamy, the cheese gooey, and the bread golden and crisp. These simple tips will help you get all three.

• Drain the tuna well. Press out as much excess water as possible so the tuna salad doesn't make the bread soggy.
• Finely chop the mix-ins. Small pieces of celery, onion, and pickles distribute more evenly throughout the tuna salad and make the sandwich easier to eat.
• Use softened butter. Soft butter spreads easily and evenly without tearing the bread.
• Press on the Parmesan. Gently press the grated Parmesan into the butter so it stays on the bread when you move and flip the sandwiches.
• Don't overfill the sandwiches. Too much tuna salad makes them difficult to flip and can cause the filling to spill out.
• Keep the heat moderate. Medium to medium-low heat gives the bread time to become crisp and golden while the cheese melts. Higher heat can brown the bread before the center is hot.
• Flip carefully. A wide spatula makes it easier to support the entire sandwich as you turn it.
• Cover the skillet if needed. If your bread is perfectly browned but the Gruyère hasn't completely melted, turn the heat down and cover the skillet briefly.
• Serve right away. This hot tuna melt is at its best straight from the skillet when the Parmesan crust is crispy and the Gruyère is still gooey.

Recipe Variations to Make It Your Own

One of the best things about a homemade tuna melt is how easy it is to customize. Change the bread, cheese, greens, or add a favorite topping to make the sandwich your own.

• Bread - Try sourdough, rye, whole grain, brioche, or a hearty white bread.
• Cheese - Swap the Gruyère for cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, provolone, Monterey Jack, or another good melting cheese.
• Spinach - Replace the spinach with arugula, baby kale, or watercress for a different flavor.
• Avocado - Add thin slices of avocado for an extra creamy layer.
• Bacon - Tuck crispy cooked bacon inside for a smoky, salty addition.
• Tomato - Add thinly sliced tomato. Pat the slices dry with a paper towel first to remove excess moisture that could make the bread soggy.
• Spicy - Add sliced jalapeños, use pepper Jack cheese, or stir a dash of hot sauce into the tuna salad.
• Pickles - Substitute dill or sweet pickle relish for the chopped pickles.
• Open-faced - Skip the second slice of bread and make an open-faced tuna melt. Toast the bread, add the tuna salad and cheese, then broil until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

What to Serve with Tuna Melts

The best tuna melt sides are simple ones that complement the rich, cheesy sandwich without adding a lot of extra work. Serve yours with something cool and fresh, a crispy side, or a comforting bowl of soup.

• Coleslaw or Potato Salad - Either makes a classic deli-style pairing with a tuna melt.
• French Fries or Onion Rings - Go with something hot and crispy for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
• Fruit Salad - Fresh fruit provides a light, refreshing contrast to the rich sandwich.
• Simple Green Salad - Toss your favorite greens and vegetables with a light vinaigrette for an easy side.
• Tater Tots - Crispy tots make this meal even more family-friendly.
• Tomato Soup - A bowl of warm tomato soup is perfect alongside the crispy bread and gooey cheese.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

This tuna fish melt sandwich is best enjoyed right after cooking, but you can save leftovers for another quick meal.

Storing: Store leftover cooked tuna melt sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you have leftover tuna salad that hasn't been used in a sandwich, store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Freezing: Freezing the assembled sandwiches isn't recommended. Mayonnaise-based tuna salad doesn't freeze particularly well, and the spinach and bread can lose their texture after freezing and thawing.

Reheating: Reheat a tuna melt in a skillet over medium-low heat until the bread crisps again and the filling is hot. You can also reheat it in an air fryer at 350°F until warmed through. The microwave works when you're in a hurry, but the bread will become soft instead of crispy.

More Tuna Recipes

From convenient canned tuna to fresh ahi, there are so many easy ways to turn tuna into a delicious meal. Here are a few more recipes to add to your lunch or dinner rotation.

• Air Fryer Tuna Patties turn canned tuna into crispy, flavorful patties for an easy meal.
• Grilled Sesame Ahi Tuna is a quick seafood dinner packed with savory sesame flavor.
• Tuna and Mango Kabobs pair fresh tuna with sweet mango for a colorful meal that's perfect for grilling season.
• Tuna Noodle Casserole is a creamy, comforting way to turn canned tuna into a family dinner.
• Tuna Pasta Salad combines tuna and pasta for an easy make-ahead lunch or summer meal.

Find lots of easy seafood recipes here on 2CM!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tuna melt?

A tuna melt combines tuna salad, bread, and cheese and is heated until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. It can be made as a closed sandwich like this recipe or served open-faced.

What is the best cheese for a tuna melt?

Gruyère is an excellent choice because it melts smoothly and has a rich, nutty flavor. Cheddar, Swiss, provolone, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella are also good melting cheeses for tuna melt sandwiches.

What kind of tuna is best for tuna melts?

White albacore tuna packed in water works particularly well because of its mild flavor and firmer texture. Chunk light tuna is also a good option if you prefer a softer texture and somewhat stronger tuna flavor.

What is the best bread for a tuna melt?

Choose bread sturdy enough to support the creamy tuna salad and melted cheese. Sourdough, rye, whole grain, and hearty white bread are all great choices. Brioche is another option if you prefer a softer, slightly sweeter bread.

How do you keep a tuna melt from getting soggy?

Drain the tuna thoroughly before mixing the salad, avoid using too much mayonnaise, and don't overfill the sandwich. If you're adding tomato, pat the slices dry before putting them on the sandwich. Cooking over moderate heat also gives the bread time to crisp while the cheese melts.

Do you eat a tuna melt hot or cold?

A tuna melt is meant to be served hot, with toasted bread and warm, melted cheese. Serve it straight from the skillet for the best combination of crispy bread and gooey cheese.

Can I make tuna melts ahead of time?

It's better to prepare the tuna salad ahead rather than assembling the entire sandwich. Refrigerate the tuna salad, then assemble and cook your tuna melts when you're ready to eat. This keeps the bread from absorbing moisture from the filling and becoming soggy.

Can I make a tuna melt in the oven?

Yes. Assemble the sandwich and bake it until the bread is toasted, the filling is hot, and the cheese has melted. You can also make an open-faced version under the broiler.

Can I make an open-faced tuna melt?

Absolutely. Toast a slice of bread, top it with tuna salad and cheese, then broil it until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Can I leave the spinach out?

Yes. You can leave it out completely or replace it with another green such as arugula, baby kale, or watercress.