If you’re looking for a quick, protein-packed lunch that actually tastes amazing, this is it. I’ve been making this herby cottage cheese tuna melt on repeat, and it’s become one of my favorite 6-minute meals. Swapping mayo for cottage cheese keeps things light while adding an extra boost of protein — and honestly, the fresh dill and parsley take it to a whole new level.
This healthy tuna melt is made with canned tuna, creamy cottage cheese (no mayo!), fresh dill, parsley, and green onions, all piled onto toasted sourdough and topped with melty muenster cheese. It’s an open-faced tuna melt that’s high in protein, big on flavor, and ready in just 6 minutes with only 9 simple ingredients, and packs a whopping 46g of protein per sammie. It’s the ultimate cottage cheese recipe for lunch!
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Tuna Melt
- High protein: With canned tuna and cottage cheese combined, this tuna melt packs around 40 grams of protein per serving.
- No mayo needed: Cottage cheese gives you all the creaminess of mayo with way more protein and less fat. You won’t miss it!
- Fresh and herby: Fresh dill and parsley make this taste so much brighter than your average tuna melt. It’s a total game changer.
- Ready in 6 minutes: Just 5 minutes of prep and about 1 minute under the broiler. Nine ingredients, one delicious open-faced sandwich.
Featured Ingredients
- Canned tuna: I like using solid white albacore tuna packed in water. Make sure to drain it really well so your bread doesn’t get soggy.
- Cottage cheese: 2% cottage cheese replaces mayo here. It adds creaminess and a protein boost without the extra fat. If you love cottage cheese egg salad, you’ll love this same swap in a tuna melt.
- Fresh dill and parsley: This is what makes this tuna melt special! The fresh herbs add so much flavor and freshness. I highly recommend using fresh over dried here.
- Green onions: A little crunch and mild onion flavor without being overpowering.
- Sourdough bread: A thick-cut slice of sourdough is sturdy enough to hold all the toppings and gets perfectly toasty. You could also try this on a cottage cheese wrap for a fun twist!
- Muenster cheese: Muenster melts beautifully and has a mild, buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with the herby tuna salad.
How to Make a Healthy Tuna Melt
This cottage cheese tuna melt comes together so fast. You’ll mix the tuna salad filling with cottage cheese and fresh herbs, pile it onto toasted sourdough, top it with muenster, and broil until bubbly and golden. The full ingredient amounts and detailed instructions are in the recipe card below!
Tips for the Best Tuna Melt
- Drain the tuna well: Excess liquid is the number one cause of a soggy tuna melt. Press the tuna against the side of the can or use a fine mesh strainer to get as much water out as possible.
- Toast the bread first: Starting with already-toasted sourdough gives you a sturdier base that won’t get mushy under the tuna salad.
- Watch the broiler closely: Broiling only takes about 1 minute, and things can go from perfectly melted to burnt fast. Keep the oven door cracked and stay close!
- Use thick-cut bread: A thicker slice of sourdough holds up better under all the toppings and gives you a nicer crunch.
- Cheese swaps: Muenster is my favorite here, but cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, or provolone all work great. Use whatever you have on hand!
- Bread swaps: Try whole wheat, rye, an English muffin, or gluten-free bread. Just make sure to toast it first.
- Fun add-ins: Everything bagel seasoning, red pepper flakes, capers, or diced celery are all great additions to the tuna salad.
- Air fryer method: Skip the broiler and pop your assembled tuna melt in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Make it a wrap: Swap the bread for a tortilla and make a cottage cheese wrap style tuna melt.
- Love cottage cheese in savory recipes? Try my cottage cheese mac and cheese next — same creamy, protein-packed vibes!
- Meal prep the tuna salad: The cottage cheese tuna salad filling can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes weekday lunches super easy — just spread it on toast and broil when you’re ready to eat.
- Assemble fresh: For the best texture, I recommend assembling and broiling the tuna melt right before serving. The bread will get soggy if it sits too long.
- Not freezer-friendly: I don’t recommend freezing this tuna melt, as the texture of the cottage cheese and bread changes after thawing. If you love tuna salad sandwiches, the filling is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
Not really! Once the cottage cheese is mixed with the tuna, herbs, and lemon juice, it just tastes creamy and tangy. You won’t get any distinct cottage cheese flavor — it blends right in and acts as a lighter, protein-packed substitute for mayo.
This healthy tuna melt has approximately 40 grams of protein per serving, thanks to the combination of canned tuna, cottage cheese, and muenster cheese. That’s significantly more protein than a traditional mayo-based tuna melt.
Absolutely! While muenster is my go-to because it melts so beautifully, you can swap it for cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, provolone, or any cheese that melts well. Use whatever you have on hand or prefer.
Yes! Instead of broiling, place the assembled tuna melt in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it since air fryer times can vary.
The cottage cheese tuna salad filling is great for meal prep — make a batch and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, just spread it on toasted bread, add cheese, and broil. I don’t recommend assembling the full tuna melt ahead of time, as the bread will get soggy.
More Tuna Recipes
If you love this healthy tuna melt, you have to try some of my other favorite tuna recipes!
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Add the tuna, cottage cheese, green onions, dill, parsley, lemon juice, and salt to a bowl. Stir to combine.
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Spread the tuna salad on top of the toasted sourdough and top with a slice of muenster cheese.
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Place on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese is melted and golden brown, about 1 minute. Watch closely to prevent burning.
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Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
- Cheese swap: Feel free to use any type of cheese in place of muenster — cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, and provolone all work great.
- Drain your tuna well: Press the tuna against the side of the can or use a fine mesh strainer to remove excess water. This prevents a soggy tuna melt.
- Air fryer option: Instead of broiling, air fry the assembled tuna melt at 400°F for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Meal prep tip: The tuna salad filling can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble and broil fresh for the best texture.
Calories: 460 kcal, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 46 g, Fat: 14 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 5 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by: The Wooden Skillet