Parmesan Pesto Tuna Melts
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
15 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
343 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Parmesan Pesto Tuna Melts
Description
This recipe combines canned or pouch albacore tuna flaked and blended with mayonnaise, prepared pesto sauce, shredded Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create a richly flavored filling. Four sandwiches are assembled by buttering bread slices and layering the tuna mixture with slices of mozzarella or provolone cheese, optionally tomato slices, and another cheese layer. The sandwiches are grilled in a skillet until the bread is golden and cheese is melted, creating a warm, crisp sandwich exterior with a creamy, herbaceous filling inside.
An alternative open-faced version omits the top bread slice and is finished in an oven-safe skillet. The parmesan and pesto provide distinct savory and slightly nutty notes, complementing the tuna and melted cheese layers. The method produces evenly toasted bread and a well-heated filling that melds ingredients nicely.
The tuna melts offer a quick and filling meal, suitable for lunch or casual dinner. The combination of creamy, cheesy tuna filling and crisp bread provides contrasting textures while the pesto adds fresh herbal flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 albacore tuna or light tuna; quantities indicated including alternatives of 2.5 oz pouches or 5 oz pouches/cans
- 4 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 Tablespoons pesto sauce prepared
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- bread I used rye, sliced, choice of type
- butter
- tomato optional, sliced
- mozzarella cheese or provolone cheese, sliced
Instructions
- Empty pouches of tuna into a medium sized bowl and flake tuna with a fork. Add in mayonnaise, pesto, parmesan cheese, garlic, salt and pepper, and mix well.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Butter one side each of eight slices of bread. (You will only need to butter four slices if making an open-face sandwich.)
- Once skillet is warm, add one slice of bread to the skillet, butter side down. Immediately layer with one slice of cheese, 1/4 of the parmesan pesto tuna mix, tomato slices (if using), and another slice of cheese. Top with a second slice of bread, butter side up.
- Allow to cook, about 3 minutes, or until bottom slice of bread has turned golden brown. Flip sandwich with a spatula, and repeat on the other side. Remove tuna melt from skillet and repeat process to make three more sandwiches.
- For Open-Face Tuna Melt: Prepare sandwiches in an oven-safe skillet, using the same process as above, except for leaving off the top layer of bread when layering sandwich ingredients. Cook sandwiches until bottom slice of bread has turned golden brown. Turn oven broiler to high. Place skillet on middle oven rack, and broil for about 2 minutes, or until cheese on top is melted and dotted with brown. Remove skillet from oven and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 343 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 343kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 63mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 685mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 138mg | 3% |
| Vitamin A | 705IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 0.5mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 189mg | 19% |
| Iron | 1.4mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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