Healthy Tuna Melt | Slimming Eats Recipe (2024)

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The Perfect Healthy Tuna Melt, satisfy those cravings with this delicious cheesy topped lunchtime favourite.

Healthy Tuna Melt | Slimming Eats Recipe (1)

Tuna Melt Sandwich

If you have ever been to Ireland or visited an Irish themed pub where you live, one item you are very likely to see on the menu is a Tuna Melt Sandwich. Usually this is served on delicious Irish Soda Bread with Irish mature cheddar - yum!!

Recently I had to make a trip to Ireland and when I returned I had serious cravings for this popular sandwich.It's funny how a trip somewhere can spark cravings for certain foods, right? It's a sandwich that is a real comfort food for me.

Healthy Tuna Melt | Slimming Eats Recipe (2)

Classic Traditional Tuna Melt

If you are going the traditional route, this would usually be served on soda bread with lashings of butter and regular mayonnaise.

Keeping this on plan, I chose 100% Whole Wheat Bread instead and skipped the butter altogether, opting for a low-fat mayonnaise and wait for it, a little cottage cheese.

Do I have to use the Cottage Cheese?

Okay, I know you are saying right now - cottage cheese? No thank you. But trust me, it's a teeny amount and works much better than yoghurt or quark as it doesn't have that sour taste you tend to get. When combined with the little bit of mayo, it works perfectly. I am not a fan of cottage cheese as it is, but this is really delicious.

If you want to use quark instead, then by all means do, or you can just use mayonnaise.

Healthy Tuna Melt | Slimming Eats Recipe (3)

Pickles in a Tuna Melt

I also add one other ingredient that you don't tend to see in a traditional Tuna Melt and that is pickles, or gherkins, whatever you want to call them. They really take this tuna melt to a whole other level, by all means, omit if you hate them, but I love them on my tuna melt.

Open Sandwiches

Whenever I make a sandwich or melt, I tend to make it as open sandwich, that way it feels a bit more filling and you can add as much of that topping as you want.

Because we are not using butter, I like to crisp up the bread by baking it in the oven until golden and crisp.

If you have a bit more time to make this sandwich, you could even make this yummy Soda Bread Recipe.

Healthy Tuna Melt | Slimming Eats Recipe (4)

Sides for Healthy Tuna Melt

This delicious healthy Tuna Melt would be perfect served with a mixed salad or speed packed bowl of soup. Below are some of my favourites:

  • FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL SOUP
  • HEARTY VEGETABLE SOUP
  • EASY ROASTED VEGETABLE SOUP
  • CARROT AND BUTTER BEAN SOUP
  • ROASTED PUMPKIN SOUP
  • CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP

or head on over to theFULL RECIPE INDEXwhere you will find over 900 delicious Slimming Eats and Weight Watchers friendly recipes all fully searchable by meal type, ingredients, value and smart points etc

Healthy Tuna Melt | Slimming Eats Recipe (5)

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Healthy Tuna Melt | Slimming Eats Recipe (6)

Healthy Tuna Melt

The Perfect Healthy Tuna Melt, satisfy those cravings with this delicious cheesy topped lunchtime favourite.

Ingredients

  • 140g (5oz) of tuna in water, drained
  • 1 spring onion, sliced
  • 2 slices of pickle (gherkins), finely diced
  • 1 tablespoons of low fat mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons of fat free cottage cheese
  • salt and black pepper to season
  • 2 slices (60g/2.2oz) of 100% Whole Wheat bread
  • 30g (1oz) of mature cheddar or Red Leicester, grated

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200c/fan 180c or 400f (gas mark 6)
  2. Add the tuna, mayonnaise, cottage cheese, spring onion, pickle and some salt and black pepper to a bowl and mix to combine, set aside.
  3. Line a baking tray with foil, Spray with some cooking oil spray and add the bread to the tray, spray over the top with more cooking oil spray.
  4. Place in the oven and bake until lightly golden (approx 5-8 mins)
  5. Remove from the oven and top each slice with the tuna mixture.
  6. Top with the grated cheddar.
  7. Place bake in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted.
  8. Serve and enjoy!!

Notes

Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:

  • Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
  • WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janet says

    Does the Tuna have to be in Water for a particular reason? or will brine be ok?

    Reply

    • Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

      Brine is fine - enjoy!!

      Reply

  2. Tina says

    This is delicious!! Probably my new favourite lunch! Thank you

    Reply

  3. Louise says

    This is delicious. Not a big tuna fan usually but I'm slightly addicted to this. Its fab.

    Reply

  4. Paula says

    Condolences to you. Not an easy trip I did that one a couple of years ago and it’s hard.
    I spent a few months after I got back to usa cooking/baking anything Irish
    Can’t wait to try this one.

    Reply

  5. Angie says

    What can I use instead of gherkins?

    Reply

    • Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says

      just omit if you don't like them, should be okay.

      Reply

  6. Alycia says

    Fab tasty and filling lunch. I used Greek yogurt as I didn't have any cottage cheese. I also highly recommend stirring 1 tbsp of the gherkin vinegar into the tuna mix. Delicious!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Healthy Tuna Melt | Slimming Eats Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How many calories in a homemade tuna melt? ›

Homemade Tuna Melts

When you make tuna melts at home, you're better able to control their calorie content. Rather than making a sandwich like Bumble Bee's basic tuna melt, which contains 710 calories per serving, you can make something more like a USA Today tuna melt recipe with 215 calories per serving.

Why is my tuna melt soggy? ›

The key to preventing a soggy tuna melt is to drain your canned tuna really well. To do this, empty the tuna into a fine-mesh strainer then press down on it to release any liquid.

What goes well with a tuna melt? ›

Tuna melt serving ideas:

For the most classic pairing, we suggest serving this melt alongside some chips and a pickle spear, but if you're looking for more options, try our sweet potato chips, coleslaw, potato salad, or air fryer French fries.

Is a tuna and cheese sandwich healthy? ›

Firstly, the bread in the sandwich is rich in fiber and protein, which helps you feel fuller for longer and reduces the chance of overeating at other meals. Cheese provides calcium, which is important for strong bones and teeth. Tuna is a good source of protein to help you feel full throughout the day.

How many calories in a grilled tuna melt? ›

Tuna melt sandwich (1 sandwich) contains 31.8g total carbs, 29.7g net carbs, 26.8g fat, 22.1g protein, and 456 calories.

What cheese is best with tuna? ›

According to The Cheese Empire, a creamy cheese with good melting properties that doesn't have too strong a flavor is the best way to go, with the outlet citing mozzarella, cheddar, and Gruyère as excellent choices to layer onto a tuna melt (or a toastie, as grilled cheese sandwiches are dubbed in the UK).

What kind of bread is best for tuna sandwich? ›

The Best Bread for Tuna Melts

To ensure everything stays together when griddles, choose a fairly sturdy bread. We like a loaf of sliced French or Italian bread, though a sliced sourdough or country loaf is also a great choice.

Why is a tuna melt so good? ›

Tuna melts are the ultimate sandwich with a flavorful fish mixture, melty cheddar cheese, and freshly sliced tomatoes all melted together in a skillet on crispy, golden bread. So easy to make and delicious, this sandwich will literally melt in your mouth!

How healthy is canned tuna? ›

Yes, canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus. Tuna also contains healthy omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA.

Can dogs have tuna? ›

Can dogs have tuna? Yes, you can feed your dog canned tuna, as long as you do so in moderation and infrequently. Choose the version that's packed in fresh water instead of oil or salted water. Also check the label to make sure there is no extra salt added to the canned tuna.

What is the healthiest sandwich to eat? ›

Good sandwich choices include sliced deli or rotisserie chicken, turkey, ham, lean roast beef, canned salmon or tuna, nut butter, grilled tempeh or tofu, smashed cooked beans, and reduced-fat cheese. Unsure about serving size?

Is mayonnaise good or bad for you? ›

Mayonnaise's nutritional profile is a mix of both healthy and not-so-healthy aspects. While it contains healthy fats from oil and essential nutrients from egg yolks, it can also be high in calories and saturated fats. Moderation is key when consuming mayonnaise to avoid negative health impacts.

How many calories in a deli tuna melt? ›

Jason's Deli Specialty Sandwiches Tuna Melt Whole (1 serving) contains 39g total carbs, 33g net carbs, 69g fat, 55g protein, and 990 calories.

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