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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 Spatula or Spoon For mixing and spreading
  • 1 Shallow Bowl For crushing and adhering chips
  • 1 Grill Pan Or a flat skillet

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

Opt for high-quality, olive-oil packed tuna; it brings superior flavor and moisture to the filling. The choice of potato chips is crucial for texture; a kettle-cooked variety will offer a robust crunch that stands up to grilling. For an elevated experience, consider lightly buttering the non-chip side of the bread before grilling to achieve an even richer, golden crust. Monitor your grill pan closely to prevent burning the chips while ensuring the cheese melts thoroughly and the bread crisps perfectly.