Trust Me On This One
As a sandwich, tuna melts can be quite controversial. So I’m starting this blog post with a heavily emphasized TRUST ME. This recipe for a pesto tuna melt is exactly the upgrade you need as a tuna melt lover or the recipe to officially convert you to the tuna-melt dark-side. This recipe is full of little hacks that, when put together, make for an unbelievably tasty, comforting sandwich. It has herby pesto, sharp cheddar cheese, delicious sourdough cheese, and sweet tomatoes. Then is broiled in the oven, meaning it melts up quickly and consistently.
Pesto Tuna Melt Recipe Tips
When you make this pesto tuna melt, here are a few tips to make sure it’s delicious:
- Use the best quality tuna your budget allows for. Search for an option packed in olive oil, not water. This tip was recommended to me a few years ago and completely changed my opinions on canned tuna. The fat from the olive oil makes the fish taste that much richer and tastier. There’s also a notable difference in buying a higher-quality tuna. The taste is much nicer and there’s significantly less of that “cat food” smell when you open the can.
- If you have the time, grate your own cheese. It takes a few extra minutes, but your cheese will melt evenly and taste fresher. Packaged shredded cheese is coated in cellulose, a plant fiber that stops the pieces of cheese from clumping together in the package. This component can create clumpy feeling to the cheese when you eat it. I’ll always have some pre-grated cheese on hand, but when I want to take my dishes to the next level I’ll be sure to grate my own.
- This sandwich is also delicious if you toast your bread before you begin assembly. I love a soft slice of sourdough, but a toasty slice will help you to achieve a classic tuna melt consistency.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
To make this pesto tuna melt, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Slices of sourdough bread
- canned tuna
- prepared pesto
- greek yogurt
- shredded cheddar cheese
- slices of tomato
- mayonnaise
- olive oil
- flaky salt and fresh ground pepper
For the exact ingredient amounts, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Equipment
In order to make this pesto tuna melt, you’ll need the following pieces of equipment:
- Mixing bowls and spoons
- cheese grater (if grating your own cheese)
- Large baking tray
- Broiler setting on your oven
The Recipe Details
The first step in making this pesto tuna melt is to assemble the pesto tuna salad. The ingredients themselves are pretty straight forward – high quality tuna, Greek yogurt, and pesto. The pesto can be store-bought shelf stable, refrigerated, or homemade (like this lemony kale pesto recipe). Whatever your preference, it’ll be a great addition to this sandwich.
Once the pesto tuna salad is created, it’s time to begin assembly. Start with a thin layer of mayo on each slice of sourdough bread. Spoon the pesto tuna salad onto two of the slices, spreading it from edge to edge of the slice of bread. Arrange the slices of tomato onto the tuna and then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top Broil the tuna melts, open-faced, on high for two to three minutes, watching carefully so the cheese doesn’t burn.
Once the tuna melts are out of the oven, drizzle the tuna salad side with a small amount of olive oil, freshly cracked black pepper, and flaky sea salt. Top each sandwich the other slice of bread and serve warm and melty. .
If you make this pesto tuna melt on sourdough, be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating – I can’t wait to hear how it goes. As always, tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook in your photos. It makes me feel like we’re getting to cook together!
Pesto Tuna Melt
Description
This pesto tuna melt is made on slices of sourdough bread with sharp cheddar cheese and fresh slices of tomato.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare the Pesto Tuna Salad
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In a small mixing bowl, add the drained can of tuna, 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt, and 2 tablespoons of pesto.
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Mix the ingredients together until they are evenly incorporated and individual pieces of tuna are no longer visible.
Assemble and Broil the Tuna Melts
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Preheat the broiler on Hi and set out a large baking tray.
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Spread the mayo onto the top sides of each slice of bread. Scoop the pesto tuna salad onto the slices of bread and spread into an even layer.
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Arrange the slices of tomato onto the top of the pesto tuna salad. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the tuna mixture, gently pressing the cheese down with your fingers to ensure it sticks to the tuna.
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Remove the pesto tuna melts from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Drizzle the top of each toasted sandwich with a little olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, and flaky salt to taste.
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Add the top slice of bread to each sandwich and slice in half, if desired. Enjoy!
Ok so your “trust me” and the story of how these tuna melts converted you got me. I do not like tuna. Or maybe I have to start saying I did not like tuna because now… I have to admit that I do. I always wanted to like tuna but never could bring myself to give it a real shot because I was just turned off by the smell. But I’m always looking for new recipes and when i read your recs about tuna in oil reducing the smell, I was intrigued and had to give this tuna melt a chance too. And let me just say, you are so right, it is life changing! Once I tried it, it only took a few bites before I was fully converted to a lover of canned tuna. I’ve made this regularly since then and as a real kicker, my sister also doesn’t eat tuna, but after making these and with a little prodding from me, she gave them a chance too and just like that – another tuna lover was born! Bottom line: these are soooo good and literally life changing! Thank you!
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