Tuna Melt on a Bun

Brioche buns or hamburger bun with sesame seeds are a good choice for this version of a tuna melt. They are softer than other types of buns or rolls. A kaiser roll, for instance, would not be a good choice, in my opinion, because the bread crumb is too dense or sturdy. These type of buns work great for sandwiches using slices of meats that will not squish out when you bite down on the sandwich, as in a Beef on Weck.

A Tuna Melt is minimally made with bread, tuna and cheese, but there are several additions you could add: sliced tomatoes, cooked slices of bacon, pickles, slice of raw or carmelized onion, avocado slices, pickled jalapeno slices . . .

Basic ingredients:

Tuna fish salad - my version of tuna salad, or make your own
Melting cheese - American, Cheddar, provolone, Monteray jack, whatever you prefer
Tomato slices (optional, but it adds a little freshness to the sandwich)
Bun or roll - Brioche bun, hamburger bun with sesame seeds, croissant, etc.
Butter, for toasting bun

Slice your bun or roll in half, if necessary. Butter the inside of each bun. Heat a cast iron or other pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Place the rolls, buttered side down, in the pan and toast until nicely browned. Remove from the pan.

Place some of the tuna fish mixture on the bottom half of the bun followed by a slice of cheese along with any other toppings you are using.

Put some butter in your pan and turn the heat to medium or medium low. Put your sandwiches back in the pan, bottom side down. Cover the pan and heat until the cheese has melted. Serve.

Tuna Melt Variations, or mix and match your own

Also see recipe for Grilled Tuna & Cheese Sandwich

• American Classic: Tuna salad, White bread or hamburger bun, American cheese.
• Cheddar and Tomato. Tuna salad, Whole wheat bread or roll, Tomato slices, Cheddar cheese.
• Bacon and Tomato: Tuna salad, Whole wheat bread or roll, Bacon (cooked), Tomato slices, Cheddar cheese.
• Jewish Deli–Style: Tuna salad (made with minced red onion, finely diced celery, sweet relish, and mustard), Rye bread or roll, Swiss cheese.
• New York: Tuna Salad, Pumpernickel bread, Pickles slices, Cheddar cheese.
• Californian: Tuna salad, Whole grain bread or roll, Avocado slices, Monteray jack cheese.
• Hot and Spicy: Tuna salad, Sourdough bread, Jalapeño pepper slices (fresh or pickled) with Monteray jack cheese or Pepper jack cheese.
• Mediterranean: Mix tuna fish with red onion, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncini, and artichoke hearts, Crusty bread, Provolone cheese.