Creamy Open-Faced Tuna Melts transform cheesy tuna dip made with cream cheese into an ultimate comfort dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Slather it on bread, top with fresh tomato slices and cheddar cheese and broil it in the oven.
Don’t rule this out because you think there are too many carbs! We figured out bases for low-carb diets and every occasion!
If you’re a fan of cheesy dips, then this sandwich is for you.
Confession time. I’m not in the hater camp, but I’m not a really big fan of tuna. My hubby and darling daughter are. They could go for weeks eating tuna fish sandwiches for lunch. I shy away from even opening and draining a can.
The difference between their sandwiches and this creamy hot sandwich (which I truly DO enjoy) is the addition of cream cheese, fresh tomato slices, and cheddar cheese. It’s an upgrade to a basic tuna melt that tastes extra special. And delicious.
Serving it open-face is a way to cut out some carbs and calories. Plus, it’s pretty! Or, you can forgo the bread altogether because it started out as a dip, much like Warm Artichoke Dip.
This recipe is perfect for nights when you need dinner in a flash and you don’t have a plan. Start to finish, you’re looking at about 20-25 minutes, which is why it’s in our Healthy 30 Minutes Meals collection.
Steps
The first step is to make a warm tuna dip by softening celery and onion in a skillet and then blending together cream cheese and mayonnaise, followed by tuna fish.
Don’t stop there and sit down for a taste! Is it just me? I could sit down with some chips and vegetable dippers and call it a night!
The next step is to spread the hot tuna melt dip over your favorite bread, top it with sliced tomato and more cheese and then broil! That’s it!
Low-carb bread options
You can make this low-carb if you make a good choice for the bottom layer! Find your “bread.” It could be:
- Thin-sliced whole grain bread
- Little to no-carb bread available at many grocery stores or on Amazon these days!
- Very low-carb flour tortillas
- Whole grain flatbread
- Cloud bread.
And if all else fails, pick a vegetable dipper or low-carb cracker and dig in! After all, it started out as a dip.
Variations
There are endless ways to serve open-face tuna melt sandwiches:
- Serve on an English muffin or in a croissant, traditional and a bit fancy.
- Leave off the parsley garnish (a.k.a the green stuff) if you have picky eaters in the house.
- Definitely add the parsley garnish if serving a more sophisticated palate because it adds to the presentation. (Dried parsley is a staple at our house.)
- Green onions are an alternative to white onion.
- Top with cooked bacon and then broil.
- If the bread is sliced thin, then toast it lightly first so it’s firm enough to hold the tuna mixture.
- Shave a little time off the total cooking time by using tuna that comes in pouches. It makes the prep even easier – just tear open the package. No draining involved.
Please rate this recipe and let us know what you use as the bottom layer on your open-face tuna melt. If you make it, tag @DinnerMom or #DinnerMom on social media. We love to see and SHARE what you are cooking up.
Creamy Open-Faced Tuna Melt Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup celery diced
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 4 ounces Cream cheese cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- Dash of garlic powder
- 10 ounces Solid White Albacore Tuna packed in water drained
- 6 slices Carb-free bread Or other bread of choice
- 1 tomato sliced
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- Optional parsley garnish
Instructions
- Set oven to broil.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add celery and onion to pan and saute for about 3-5 minutes or until softened.
- Add cream cheese, mayonnaise and garlic powder to pan. Stir to melt and combine ingredients.
- Stir in tuna and remove from heat.
- To assemble sandwiches, divide tuna mixture between slices of bread and spread in an even layer.
- Place tomato slices on top of the tuna.
- Sprinkle cheese over the top of the tomato.
- Place sandwiches on a broiler pan and place in the oven for about 2 minutes or until the cheese begins to melt.
- Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Thin-sliced whole grain bread.
- Little to no-carb bread available at the grocery store or on Amazon these days!
- Very low-carb flour tortillas
- Whole grain flatbread
- Cloud bread.
Nutrition
Erin {Delightful E Made}
These look fantastic! Can’t wait to try for lunch or dinner. Love it!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
I’m a big, BIG fan of tuna sandwiches. A creamy open faced one sounds absolutely divine!
Ginny McMeans
Good job! Live your ingredients and photography!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
I love tuna melts and so cool that you did them open faced!
[email protected] Mom
That looks delicious! I love BumbleBee tuna!
Marjory
Thanks Brenda! Love the pouches!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
We’re big fans of the tuna in pouches – it’s so much better than the canned stuff! I also love to bring it to work with me to throw on top of salad.
Marjory
It makes things verrry easy!
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds
I love a good tuna melt – it’s been way too long since I’ve had one. I love your photos and the open face presentation!
Marjory
Thanks so much Stephanie!
christine
This looks like a satisfying lunch
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
I love a good tuna melt! Looks yummy!
Nancy [email protected]
Love this! Easy and simple! Doesn’t get much better than that!
Rebecca {foodiewithfamily}
Tuna melts are one of my all time best loved comfort foods. These look so good!!
Angie | Big Bears Wife
I’ll be making these for my husband soon!
Kim Beaulieu
These are absolutely incredible. My hubby would love these. Now you’ve got me wondering if I could do something like this with salmon.
Marjory
Absolutely! And with crab too!
Angela {Mind Over Batter}
I am aaaaaalll over these! I love tuna melts! Your open face sandwich photos are fantastic!
Linda Chase
Does the calorie count include the whole wheat bread? Is a low calorie wheat bread?
Marjory
Hi! The nutritional estimate includes whole wheat bread.
Samma
I’m not a huge fan of tuna, but had a can in the pantry and made this. It’s really good, like a dip, but on bread. The family loved it.
Sunny
Do you toast the bread first to avoid soggy bread?
Marjory Pilley
It is helpful to toast the bread first, especially if it is very soft!