Grown-Up Tuna Melts Recipe (2024)

Home / New / Grown-Up Tuna Melts Recipe

by brandie 40 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This Grown-Up Tuna Melts recipe– with banana peppers, sourdough bread, provolone cheese, tomatoes and more –ismy retro recipemakeover of the simple Tuna Melts that my Dad used to make us when I was a kid.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. We receive a commission if purchases are made through our links to retailers.Click here to read our full disclosure policy.

I haven’t made tuna melts in years. Over 10 years, would be my best guess. But my son remembers them and he loved them. They weren’t fancy. It was the cheapest tuna, mixed with mayonnaise and pickle relish, spooned onto plain white bread, and topped with an American cheese slice. I baked them in the oven on a baking sheet until the cheese melted. The same way my Dad made them when I was a kid.

Sunday Supper this week was all about “Retro Recipes”. And that’s when I decided to finally give into my son. But rather than going completely old school with them, I decided to try something new — I made what I call Grown-Up Tuna Melts.

Ingredients Needed for Grown-Up Tuna Melts:

Cooking Equipment needed for Grown-Up Tuna Melts:

My Grown-Up Tuna Melts are made with solid white albacore tuna, chopped red onion, chopped celery and chopped banana peppers. The bowl I used was one of the silver metal bowls that my Dad used to always make tuna salad in when I was younger. Seeing this bowl always reminds me him making his tuna sandwiches, so using it in my kitchen for tuna is my little tribute to him.

I also mixed in mayonnaise and lemon juice, plus seasoned it with freshly ground salt and pepper.

Rather than plain white bread, I used a San Francisco style sourdough bread. The mixture was divided among 4 slices of sourdough, which were placed on a baking sheet. I added 2 tomato slices to each tuna melt and then 2 slices of provolone cheese to each.

The Tuna Melts are baked in oven until hot, melted and starting to brown.

When I pulled them out of the oven, I was happy. They looked so good and after I tasted them, I decided that the changes I made not only had me enjoying these tuna melts, but had me happy enough with them to put them on the menu more often.

Grown-Up Tuna Melts Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 1 review

Author: Brandie Valenzuela

Print Recipe

Description

Ingredients

Scale

12 ounces solid white albacore tuna (packed in water and drained)
1/3 cup mayonnaise (may wish to use more or less)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped banana pepper rings
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Salt & pepper (to taste)
4 slices sourdough bread
8 slices tomato
8 slices provolone cheese

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, onion, celery, banana peppers and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Lay bread on baking sheet. Spoon and divide tuna mixture on the bread slices. Top each tuna melt with two slices of tomatoes and then 2 slices of provolone cheese.
Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is hot, bubbly, and starting to brown. Serve immediately.

Notes

–You may wish to use more, or less, mayonnaise. I have actually found 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons to be the amount our family likes best.

Category: Sandwich
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Recipe Card powered by

Want more recipes using canned tuna? I recommend the“200 Best Canned Fish and Seafood Recipes: For Tuna, Salmon, Shrimp, Crab, Clams, Oysters, Lobster and More” cookbook by Susan Sampson. It has 200 ways to transform the canned tuna and various seafoods into delicious dishes.

Want More Retro Recipes?

I shared my retro recipe re-do, and there is lots of other food bloggers participating in Sunday Supper who are also sharing retro makeovers OR some are sharing the original retro recipe. Either way, you’ll find lots of blasts from the pasts in this list below — check them out and tell them I sent ya!

Retro AppetizerRecipes:

Irish Cheddar-Whiskey Fondueby girlichef
She Devils: Beet Pickled Deviled Eggsby Ruffles & Truffles

Retro SaladRecipes:

Coca-Cola Saladby Magnolia Days
Salmon Salad | Retro Tuna Saladby Family Foodie
Ambrosia Saladby Simply Gourmet
Romaine “Wedge” Salad with Hot Maple Bacon Dressingby Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Carrot & Raisin Saladby The Roxx Box
The Best Broccoli Salad by Small Town Woman

Retro Breads and SandwichRecipes:

Italian Style Breadby The Meltaways
Creamed Chipped Salmon Jerky on Toastby Pescetarian Journal
Grown-Up Tuna Meltsby Home Cooking Memories
English Muffin Pizzasby Comfy Cuisine
Patty Melt, Hand Cut Fries, & a Shakeby Mooshu Jenne
Grown-Up Grilled Cheese With Tomato Soupby Catholic Foodie
Toast Topper #16: Grandma’s Mock Apricot Jamby What Smells So Good?

RetroMain DishRecipes:

Chicken Pot Pie Topped With Bacon Cheddar Biscuitsby Chocolate Moosey
Tuna Noodle Casseroleby Country Girl in the Village
Nana’s Italian Steak Pot Roast by Give Me Meatloaf
Chorizo Scotch Eggsby The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Chicken Marylandby Vintage Kitchen Notes
Mushroom Stroganoffby Small Wallet Big Appetite
Dairyfree Toast Hawaiiby Galactosemia in PDX
Porcupine Meatballsby Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Chicken Kievby The Urban Mrs.
Salmon Quiche with Preserved Lemonby Shockingly Delicious
Steak Dianeby Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
Fried Chicken only in the Ovenby In the Kitchen with Audrey
Hambak Steak a.k.a. Salisbury Steakby Kimchi Mom
Retro-Redo: Homemade TV Dinnerby The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Kicked Up Meatloafby Curious Cuisiniere
Shrimp Scampi (a lighter version)by Kudos Kitchen
Old-Fashioned Pork Chopsby My Trials in the Kitchen
Jägerschnitzelby Sustainable Dad
Healthier Hamburger-Corn Noodle Casseroleby The Weekend Gourmet
Inspired by Tuna Noodle Casseroleby Cookistry
Chicken-N-Biscuits Pot Pie Casseroleby The Messy Baker Blog
Souper Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoesby Mama.Mommy.Mom
Meatloaf that will make you swoon and Datz the truthby Midlife Roadtrip
Spaghetti with Currywurst Sauceby Masala Herb
Tator Tot Casseroleby NeighborFood

Retro Side Dish Recipes:

Smokey Braised Red Cabbageby Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Classic Corn Casseroleby The Foodie Army Wife
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamicby Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Classic Green Bean Casserole Reduxby The Wimpy Vegetarian
Mem’s Broccoli Casseroleby Momma’s Meals

Retro Dessert Recipes

Peachy Keen Tutti-Frutti Jelloby La Cocina de Leslie
Old School Boozy Rum Cakeby Webicurean
Individual Baked Alaskasby That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Rainbow Jelloby Cravings of a Lunatic
Pineapple Upside Down Cakeby Noshing with the Nolands
Pineapple Barsby Peanut Butter and Peppers
Creamy Dairy Free Fresh Orange Julius With Coconut Milkby Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Refrigerator Strawberry Cheesecakeby There and Back Again
Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Back To My Southern Roots.
Boston Cream Pieby Gotta Get Baked
Coca-Cola Cupcakesby Daily Dish Recipes
Jello Poke Cakeby Flour On My Face
Devil’s Food Cakeby Maroc Mama
Bread Pudding with Pecansby Basic and Delicious
Victoria Sponge Cakeby The Lovely Pantry
A Chocolate Twist on the Classic Japanese Strawberry Shortcakeby Ninja Baking
Post War Apple Puddingby My Cute Bride
Layered Mini Chocolate Banana Cakesby Big Bears Wife
Raspberry Jam Cakesby Pippis in the Kitchen Again

Retro co*cktail Recipes:

Moscow Muleby Crazy Foodie Stunts

Previous Post: « Sweetheart Cinnamon Cake with Glaze

Next Post: 3 Valentine Gifts in a Jar »

NEVER MISS A POST

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer.

Reader Interactions

Did you make this recipe?
Pleasegive it a star rating below!

Comments

Amrita says
See Also
Ham and Asparagus Frittata Recipe - A Quick & Easy One Pan Meal 20 Family Dinner Recipes that Cut our Grocery Bill Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe Easy Grape Salad Recipe - Feeding Your Fam
June 16, 2019 at 3:01 am
i love tuna :p
btw thanks for sharing
Reply
Katie says
May 10, 2016 at 5:39 pm
This looks so good – I love a toasty tuna melt! Thanks for sharing this at Turn It Up Tuesday!
Reply
Frugal Hausfrau says
May 9, 2016 at 9:46 pm
Yum! They do look marvelous! Thanks for bringing this by Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Reply
Ashleigh says
May 8, 2016 at 12:23 pm
OMG I love tuna melts! I had everything laying around except the bread you used, so I used a tuscan style pane bread from Trader Joe’s. Instant flashback to my childhood! Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Teresa says
May 2, 2016 at 6:01 am
The tuna melt sandwiches look soooo good! Pinned and recipe printed!
Reply
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
April 5, 2014 at 9:34 am
These look delicious, and I love that you made them open faced. Great dinner idea!
Reply
Medeja says
January 27, 2013 at 11:03 pm
These tuna melts would be just perfect for breakdast!
Reply
Amanda @ MarocMama says
January 27, 2013 at 3:15 pm
I’ve never eaten a tuna melt, mostly because it scares me! Your dish looks really delicious however – I might be willing to give it a shot.
Reply
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
January 24, 2013 at 6:49 pm
Tuna melts remind of a great NYC diner…any of them! I like the addition of the red onion and banana peppers. Damn…now I want one!!
Reply
Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says
January 23, 2013 at 5:17 pm
I’ve never had a tuna melt but this recipe is making me want to try one soon! I love how you made it into a grown-up version. Sounds delicious with all the new additions you added!
Reply
Karen Hartzell (@InTheKitchenKP) says
January 23, 2013 at 4:50 am
These look so melty and toasty! Warm tun isn’t my favorite, but I certainly wouldn’t turn these down! YUM!
Reply
Cindys Recipes says
January 22, 2013 at 5:32 pm
love tuna melts thanks for sharing.
Reply
Renee says
January 22, 2013 at 3:13 pm
The first tuna melt I ever had was at the restaurant around the corner from where I worked way back in the 80’s. Since then I’ve always loved tuna melts. And I have a confession…I’ve never made them. That means I haven’t had one in forever. I need to make this retro dish for the first time. I’m loving your recipe with the banana peppers in the mix. Yum!
Reply
See Also
18 of the Easiest (and Tastiest!) Recipes From Chrissy Teigen
Sarah says
January 22, 2013 at 5:55 am
I love that you jazzed up a boring tuna melt. This is fancy schmancy! I may have to lift my pinkey while eating it. But I am making this dish for sure!
Reply
Bea says
January 21, 2013 at 8:41 pm
I love tuna salad & tuna melts. Your grown up version looks very good 🙂 ~ Bea
Reply
Carla says
January 21, 2013 at 4:24 pm
You reminded me that I haven’t had tuna melt in forever! Maybe not quite 10 years though 😉 I’m also a creature of habit and make the same dishes over and over again. When I find something I love eating, I eat it until I abuse the recipe. I had to stop eating greek yogurt because I ate it for a year straight with my lunch (not kidding either! At least they had a variety of flavors). Anyway, thanks for reminding me that tuna melts do exist and that I’ll be buying bread, cheese, and tuna soon.
Reply
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
January 21, 2013 at 4:02 pm
I love this post! I think we all have childhood meals that our parents threw together because they were quick, easy and cheap. Sometimes they still taste amazing now and bring back all those nostalgic feelings, and sometimes you wonder “how in the heck did I love this as a kid?” Your grown up, gourmet version of the tuna melt looks phenomenal! I love all the changes you made and would happily eat this.
Reply
Danyelle Franciosa says
January 21, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Seems like it tastes good and I really love the awesome look of this dish, I really love to try this. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Reply
Susan says
January 21, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Lovely twist on the classic. Great addition with the tomato.
Reply
Faye Leong says
January 21, 2013 at 7:15 am
I can imagine how delicious it is when the cheese melt in our mouth…..yum! Great choice of bread too!
Reply
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
January 21, 2013 at 3:09 am
That blistered cheese is calling my name! Great way to eat your tuna!
Reply
Alaiyo Kiasi says
January 21, 2013 at 12:37 am
In a word: YUM! Your blog, with classic recipes, is so appropriate for this #SundaySupper challenge. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Jenne says
January 20, 2013 at 10:15 pm
I love tuna but never had a tuna melt. Might have to make these with a lot of red onion.
Reply
Chris Baccus says
January 20, 2013 at 5:53 pm
I’ve never had a tuna melt I liked. This one looks pretty darn good.
Reply
Hezzi-D says
January 20, 2013 at 1:25 pm
I am still one to make a tuna melt on a night when I am too busy to really cook. Your grown up version looks delicious-I’ll have to remember the recipe the next time I’m making these!
Reply
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
January 20, 2013 at 12:54 pm
What a great twist and grown up version of an old classic!
Reply
Conni Smith says
January 20, 2013 at 12:47 pm
I have never in my life had a tuna melt – these look SO good!
Reply
Arlene @FlourOnMyFace says
January 20, 2013 at 11:38 am
I’ve never had a tuna melt sandwich. Can you believe it? I love cold tuna sandwiches but never fancied warm tuna but your version is making me hungry! I will have to try the next time I make tuna.
Reply
Anne @ Webicurean says
January 20, 2013 at 10:55 am
I haven’t had a tuna melt in a while, but I do love them–when I was in high school, I’d make tuna melts as snacks for me and my friends! Think this may need to be lunch today!
Reply
DB-The Foodie Stuntman says
January 20, 2013 at 10:31 am
This makes me hungry for a tuna melt.
Reply
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
January 20, 2013 at 9:51 am
Mmm, cheesy. I love tuna melts. These look amazing.
Reply
Sarah says
January 20, 2013 at 9:40 am
Love the pepper rings!
Reply
Patti says
January 20, 2013 at 9:08 am
These came out awesome Brandie! Love the additions in the tuna salad and the memories of mixing it in the bowl your Dad used!
Reply
Samantha @ FerraroKitchen says
January 20, 2013 at 8:48 am
I LOVE this!!!! And I love that you added tomato..I totally grew up on this!
Reply
Katie says
January 20, 2013 at 8:43 am
I have to be honest: the phrase “tuna melt” doesn’t always bring forth images and memories of deliciousness, but your version?!?! They have me drooling. They look so bubbly, golden, and perfect. I might just be a believer now. Want!
Reply
Lane @ Supper for a Steal says
January 20, 2013 at 7:50 am
Melty cheese…. yum yum yum!
Reply
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
January 20, 2013 at 7:25 am
I’m plain drooling over these! Pinned!
Reply
BusyWorkingMama says
January 20, 2013 at 7:19 am
I would definitely enjoy that tuna melt. Great recipe!
Reply
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
January 20, 2013 at 6:13 am
Those look fabulous! I love the bread and the additions. I have never tried banana peppers in tuna but I will now.
Reply
Sherron@SimplyGourmet says
January 20, 2013 at 5:50 am
I love tuna melts. My Mom owned a restaurant and this was a Friday special on the menu. I love that yours are open-faced. That first picture drew me right in! YUM
Reply