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Mary Pat's Tuna Melt

This sandwich gets a crunchy finish with chips embedded into the bread. I use very special potato chips that were sent to me from Pennsylvania by my dear friend, MP. But if you can't find Utz®, your favorite chip will work just fine. Serve with more chips and pickles.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 2 people
Calories 1997.9 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Small Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Shallow Bowl For coating with chips
  • 1 Grill Pan Or a large skillet
  • 1 Spatula For flipping sandwiches
  • 1 Chef's knife For chopping pickle and onion

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 5 ounce can olive-oil packed tuna, undrained
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 dill pickle chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced red onion
  • 4 slices rustic whole-grain bread
  • 4 slices Irish Cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese divided
  • 1 cup coarsely crushed potato chips such as Utz®
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise divided

Instructions
 

  • Mix tuna, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard together in a small bowl. Stir in pickle and red onion. Spread tuna mixture on 2 slices of bread. Top each with 2 slices of Cheddar cheese.
  • Spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese on each of the remaining 2 slices of bread. Place on top of the Cheddar cheese.
  • Place crushed chips in a shallow bowl. Spread top side of each tuna melt with 1 1/2 teaspoon mayonnaise and press into the chips. Repeat on other side.
  • Heat a dry grill pan over medium-high heat. Toast tuna melts until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.

Notes

Ensure the olive-oil packed tuna is well-drained if you prefer a less oily filling; however, the oil contributes to richness. When pressing the bread into the crushed potato chips, apply firm, even pressure to ensure maximum adhesion for that signature crunch. For a more consistent golden-brown crust and enhanced flavor, consider lightly brushing the chip-coated bread with mayonnaise or olive oil before grilling, rather than using a dry pan, as this can lead to more even browning and prevent the chips from burning. The whipped cream cheese acts as a delightful creamy barrier, preventing the bread from becoming soggy while adding a subtle tang to balance the savory tuna.