A gooey, diner-style hot sandwich made with pantry staples!
No sandwich press? No problem! You can make this classic American-style tuna melt using just a frying pan. All you need is a can of tuna, some melty cheese, and a few simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
The combination of tuna, mayonnaise, and melted cheese is absolutely delicious—one bite and you’ll feel like you’re having lunch at a cozy American diner. And because canned tuna has a long shelf life, it’s perfect to keep in your pantry for quick and satisfying meals any time.
Ingredients
| ★Can of tuna in oil | 1 can(70g / about 2.5 oz) |
| ★Finely chopped spring onion | 1 tbsp |
| ★Shredded pizza cheese | 1 tbsp |
| ★Mayonnaise(Kewpie) | 1 tbsp |
| ★Lemon juice | 1 tsp |
| ★Salt and black pepper | 3 shakes each |
| Sandwich bread(thin-sliced, I used whole wheat 8-slice cut) | 2 slices |
| Butter | 1 tsp |
| Melty cheese (Yukijirushi) | 2~4 |
Note: I’ve included the brands and types I used, but feel free to use what you have!
How to Make
1⃣ Prep the filling
Open the can of tuna and press down firmly with the lid to drain as much oil as possible.
In a bowl, mix the drained tuna, spring onion, pizza cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2⃣ Toast the bread
Add 1 tsp of butter to a frying pan over medium heat.
Toast both sides of the bread slices for 1 minute each.
3⃣ Assemble the sandwich
Layer as follows:
Bread → sliced cheese → tuna filling → sliced cheese → bread.
(Putting cheese on both sides of the tuna keeps the sandwich from getting soggy and makes it extra gooey!)
4⃣ Cook the sandwich
Place the sandwich back into the pan.
Set a small pot or a heat-safe plate on top as a weight and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes.
Flip and cook the other side for another 2 minutes with the weight on.
When the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted, it’s ready!
- Drain the tuna well to avoid a soggy sandwich.
- Pre-toast both sides of the bread for a crunchier texture.
- Use easy-melting cheese for that irresistible gooey bite.
- If using thicker bread (like 6-slice cut), cook a bit longer to ensure the cheese melts fully.
If this looks delicious to you, don’t forget to share it on Twitter/X!
Tag me in your post if you try it—I’d love to see your version! 🥪💛
