Upgrade your boring lunchtime sandwich with this easy Tuna and Cheese Melt Panini recipe.
Homemade tuna mayo with red onions, a splash of Sherry or Balsamic vinegar and a pinch of paprika. Sandwiched between cheese slices inside a panini roll.
Toasted in a George Foreman or Optigrill until the roll is perfectly crisp and the cheese is deliciously melted into the onion and tuna mayonnaise mixture! Best lunch ever!
See our step by step slide show on how we made our Tuna and Cheese Melt Panini.
How to make tuna mayo and onion sandwich filler?
Simply mix together a tin of tuna with ½ a red onion (finely diced), 3 tablespoon of mayo, a pinch of paprika, with a splash of sherry / balsamic vinegar.
This will make enough to serve 2 in panini rolls.
How to make Tuna and Cheese Panini?
Spread some mayo on both sides of panini roll, add a slice of cheese on the bottom followed by the tuna mayo mixture, then another cheese slice.
Finally, finish with the top half of panini.
Obviously, if you wanted it can be eaten like this as a cold panini roll.
However, we like to make it into a heavenly cheese and tuna melt.
How to make toasted Tuna and Cheese Melt Panini?
We use a Tefal Opti Grill, however, a George Foreman grill or similar will work the same.
Spray both the top & bottom preheated grill plates with some spray oil, we used Frylight.
Place the panini on the grill plate & shut lid gently on top. Set timer for 4 minutes.
Check to see if the panini roll is crisp and the cheese has melted.
Serve up with a side salad and crisps or chunky air fryer chips.
The cheese melts so beautifully into the tuna mayo and onion mix. You will undoubtedly savour every mouthful!
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Tuna and Cheese Melt Panini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Panini Rolls
- 4 Slices Mozzarella or Cheddar best to buy pre-sliced
Tuna Mayo
- 1 Tin Tuna
- ½ Red Onion Finely chopped
- 3 tablespoon Light Mayonaise Save some or use extra for spreading on roll
- Splash Sherry vinegar or Balsamic Vinegar
- Paprika Pinch
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all the Tuna Mayo ingredients together in a bowl
- Spread Mayonnaise on both sides of panini roll
- Between the panini roll, layer up cheese, tuna mayo, then another cheese slice on top.
- Spray a little bit of oil on the plates of a preheated Optigrill or George Foreman and gently shut lid on top.
- It should take about 4 minutes, for the roll to be crisp and the cheese to have melted.
- Cut in half and serve with crisps or fries & salad.
Video
Nutrition
How could anyone resist this cheesy feast! 🙂
Looking for more tuna recipes, you will love our tuna burgers or try our cold pasta salad with tuna.
More Lunchtime Meal Ideas
Equally good for lunchtime treats, check out our Sun-dried Tomato and Bacon swirls. If you like things hot and spicy, try our spicy chicken burger.
Nic
Since trying this recipe Tuna Melt Paninis have become my favourite lunch! All my kids love it too!
Luke and Kay
Thank you for your 5-star review, Nic! It's wonderful to hear that our tuna and cheese melt panini recipe has become everyone's new favourite lunch. We really appreciate the feedback and are glad this has been such a hit with your kids. 🙂
Toni
This is so good!! My kids loved this panini!
Kay
Thanks, Toni
So pleased to hear your kids loved the tuna & cheese melt panini 🙂
Our kids love it too, it makes a great lunch!!
Elizabeth
Such a delicious sandwich! We had them for lunch and they were absolutely delicious!
Kay
Thanks, Elizabeth, for the comment and rating 🙂
It's great to hear you like our panini recipe, it makes a boring lunch sandwich into something awesome 😉
AISilva
Wow look at that cheese oozing on this tuna and cheese melt panini. I can't wait to try this. My kids love tuna, so they will love this panini for sure.
Kay
Thanks, Alsiva
You can't beat melted cheese with tuna it's delicious 🙂
Enjoy!!
Nisha
Wow, this looks so delicious! It also seems pretty easy to make as well. Great to have this recipe handy and hope to try it out soon.
Kay
Thanks, Nisha
This makes the perfect lunch 🙂
Hope you enjoy the recipe, let us know your thoughts?
Lucy
Amazing used this recipe on my George Foreman grill. Tastes just like my local cafe. Save me a small fortune making my own from now own
Jodie Paterson
This looks amazing! Thank you for a great recipe. About to make this for my lunch now
Sam
Tuna and cheese melt is such a classic. I love how you made this in a panini. That cheese oozing out looks so good. Can't wait to try this!
Sara
What an easy and delicious lunch idea! Paninis are one of my favorite sandwiches, and I love your tuna mayo mixture with the cheese! So good!
Kay
Thanks Sara 🙂