Pesto Tuna Melt Sandwich: an Easy Lunch Idea

Whipping up a pesto tuna melt makes for a quick and easy lunch. A crusty baguette topped with pesto butter, pesto tuna salad, and melty mozzarella cheese.

PESTO TUNA MELTS: AN EASY LUNCH

Whenever I’m stumped on what to make for lunch, I know my pantry will have the answer.

That’s the best thing about a pesto tuna melt–or any tuna melt, for that matter. I almost always have everything I need to whip a couple up. Here’s what you’ll need!

PESTO TUNA MELT RECIPE VIDEO

Tuna melts are a snap to make, but if this is your first time making one (or you just want to catch me in silent film mode), here’s the tutorial. If you like what you see, I hope you’ll subscribe to my YouTube channel!

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to purchase something after clicking on one of the links in this post, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

GOOD BREAD

I might hurt some feelings here, but good bread doesn’t have an ingredient list that’s a mile long.

While sandwich bread is cheap, it’s also full of nasty ingredients.

My rule?

If I can’t pronounce it, I don’t want to ingest it!

Unless it’s a specialty bread, like a loaf of cheddar jalapeño or potato dill, good bread calls for four ingredients: flour, water, salt and yeast.

Quality bread makes all the difference when you’re making a sandwich, so either bake your own or support your local bakery.

I don’t want to tell you what kind of bread you should use. Shoot, I don’t even want to tell you what to put in your tuna salad, but you’re here for a pesto tuna melt recipe, right?

One of my guiding principles in the kitchen is to use whatever I have on hand.

If a rustic loaf of sourdough is on the counter, I’ll saw off a couple of thick slices.

In this case, it was a baguette, but again, use what you have. I live in Québec, so we’re baguette rich over here.

TUNA

When I’m making pesto tuna melt sandwiches for lunch, my rule of thumb is that one can of tuna feeds two people.

The question is, what kind of tuna should you be reaching for?

Truth be told, there are so many options out there that it’s enough to make one’s head spin.

If you can afford it, opt for an environmentally responsible brand that practices sustainable pole and line fishing. This fishing method preserves the lives of sea critters like turtles, sharks, and birds.

When I’m shopping for tuna, I make sure it’s packed in water as opposed to oil.

Sometimes the tuna I buy has salt, sometimes it doesn’t.

Like butter and beans, I prefer controlling the sodium content in my recipes.

Chunked light and flaked light tuna are my preferred picks and are perfect for tuna salad.

These days pre-seasoned tuna is also available, but read those labels, folks, that’s all I can say!

CHEESE

As with the bread, I use what I have on hand when I’m making something like a pesto tuna melt.

On this particular day I had mozzarella, but use whatever you’d like!

My only advice is to use something that gets good and melty, like a Monterey Jack, Brie, Havarti or Cheddar.

PESTO

Pesto is the one ingredient that not everyone has on hand, myself included.

I’m terrible at growing basil in my victory garden, so I never yield enough to preserve big batches of pesto.

With that being said, it doesn’t need to be basil pesto. It’s possible to make pesto out of arugula and wild greens like dandelion and garlic mustard.

I usually buy a fresh pesto that’s locally produced and needs to be refrigerated, but I really should keep a jar in my frugal pantry.

Pesto can save the day when you’re trying to figure out what to make for dinner. It’s one of my favourite sauces for pizza and pasta.

Pesto is a terrific ingredient to have in your metaphorical back pocket!

GUESS WHAT? IT DOESN’T NEED TO BE A PESTO TUNA MELT

I’m going to say this for the last time today, but try to use what you have on hand.

If you don’t have pesto, don’t go to the store to pick some up. I mean, you could forage for dandelion greens or garlic mustard if they grow in your area. Just ensure they are trustworthy and not sprayed with pesticides!

Really though, pesto isn’t necessary.

While I have a recipe for you below, I don’t want you to follow it to a tee. I want you to put your own stamp on it!

I want you to get inspired by your herbs and spices.

Work with a theme, like Cajun or Asian Fusion.

Dice up pickles or olives, scoop out capers, add a spoonful of dijon mustard, or finely chop some onion or celery.

When I’m playing like this in the kitchen, I usually have The Flavour Bible close by to see what ingredients work well together. There’s a reason why it’s one of my favourite kitchen reference books!

THE FINISHING TOUCH

The last thing I want to address is the garnish.

If you want to enjoy the tuna melt as is, be my guest. However, I recommend treating yourself to a little garnish.

Including something fresh completes the melt, whether that’s a handful of homegrown sprouts, fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced radishes or watercress.

Not only does it add a new layer of texture to the sandwich, but there’s also the visual appeal to consider.

Someone once told me that people eat with their eyes first, and it’s the truth!

THANKS FOR DROPPING BY THE KITCHEN!

Pesto tuna melts sure are flavourful and delicious, so I hope you’ll give them a try!

Even if you wind up using my recipe, I encourage you to taste and adjust the recipe according to your preferences. That’s the number one rule in cooking, you know! \

Do you have any kitchen rules you swear by, too? I hope you’ll let me know in the comments below!

And in case you need an easy side, you should check out this roasted beet salad to go with your tuna melts.

SHOP THIS POST

The Flavour Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg

Wild Planet Skipjack Tuna (sustainable tuna)

OTHER LUNCH IDEAS YOU MIGHT LIKE

Croque-Monsieurs (French ham and cheese melts)

Pissaladière (a summery puff pastry tart)

German Currywurst

Buddha Bowl Ideas

PESTO TUNA MELT RECIPE CARD

PIN IT FOR LATER

Love and gratitude,