Spicy Tuna Melt Sandwich (Printer-Friendly)

A delicious comfort sandwich combining spicy tuna salad with melted cheddar cheese on toasted sourdough bread.

# What You'll Need:

→ Spicy Tuna Salad

01 - 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna in water, drained
02 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
03 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or hot sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
05 - 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
06 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
08 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Sandwich Assembly

09 - 8 slices sourdough bread
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced

# How To Make:

01 - Combine drained tuna, mayonnaise, sriracha, Dijon mustard, celery, red onion, parsley, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly until evenly incorporated.
02 - Lay out sourdough bread slices and butter one side of each slice evenly.
03 - Place 4 bread slices with unbuttered side facing up. Divide spicy tuna salad evenly among the slices. Top each with shredded cheese and tomato slices.
04 - Cover each sandwich with remaining bread slices, placing them with buttered side facing outward.
05 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Remove sandwiches from skillet, slice in half, and serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It turns pantry staples into something that feels indulgent without any fancy technique.
  • The sriracha cuts through the richness in a way that makes every bite interesting.
  • You can have it on the table faster than ordering takeout, and it tastes better too.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully in a hot skillet, crisping right back up.
02 -
  • If your heat is too high, the bread will burn before the cheese melts, so keep it at medium and be patient.
  • Drain the tuna really well, I once skipped this step and ended up with a soggy mess that barely held together.
  • Butter the bread all the way to the corners, unbuttered edges stay pale and chewy instead of crisp.
03 -
  • Press the sandwiches gently with your spatula while they cook to help the cheese melt faster and create better contact with the pan.
  • Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the tuna salad for a subtle depth that makes people ask what your secret is.
  • If you want to prep ahead, mix the tuna salad in the morning and keep it cold until you're ready to assemble and grill.
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