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These Tuna Melts Zucchini Boats are the healthier and lighter version of the classic tuna melt recipe. They are a delicious low carb recipe that’s perfect for a light lunch or brunch.
This tuna melt is seriously the best tuna melt recipe ever and they are completely guilt-free! They are so easy to make and the healthy version of the classic tuna melt. By swapping the bread for the zucchini, you will ultimately be making a super delicious low carb tuna melt. Alternatively, this recipe will also be considered keto-friendly for those who are on the keto diet.
How to Make a Tuna Melt Recipe
Making a classic tuna melt sandwich is quite simple. But making this recipe is even better and more rewarding because they are much healthier.
While you heat the oven to 350, cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, then scoop out the insides. You can save the insides and make with eggs or add to your next vegetable soup!
Then, place the zucchini into the prepared baking tray, and spray with cooking oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then place into the middle rack of the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until just tender.
In a mixing bowl, add tuna, celery, red onion, yogurt, dill, mustard, lemon juice, and jalapeño. Mix until combined, then taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Once you have the mixture ready to go, stuff the zucchini boats with the tuna mixture then sprinkle with cheddar. Continue to bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Top with any additional toppings of choice and Enjoy!
Tuna Melt Ingredients
The ingredients you need to make a tuna melt are as follows:
- Tuna: You can use canned tuna. In water or oil. But I prefer using white albacore in water.
- Zucchini: One zucchini will be sliced in half. You may use either the green or the yellow zucchini.
- Celery: For those who don’t like celery, you can skip it, but it brings out the unique flavor of the tuna melt.
- Onion: I used red onion, but if you don’t have this handy, you can use sweet or cooking onions.
- Greek Yogurt: This is used in place of the mayonnaise. Other options could be hummus or avocado.
- Cheese: Any cheese of choice will work, but I prefer using wither mozzarella or cheddar.
- Herbs and condiments: some additional herbs and condiments that can be used are mustard, dill, salt and pepper, garlic, and parsley.
- Toppings: Green onions, corn, jalapeno, and chopped tomatoes.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some questions that are usually asked by others who are looking into making this recipe.
What is a tuna melt?
The word melt in a tuna melt sandwich is basically the melted cheese in the sandwich or recipe. When referring to a tuna sandwich, it contains bread, cheese, and some sort of filling such as tuna. A tuna melt is simply melted cheese on a tuna sandwich. This is sometimes heated and served hot, and thus the formation of the melted cheese.
What’s the best cheese for a tuna melt?
Most common cheeses used are either cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese. Other white cheeses like swiss, American or provolone will also work.
What goes with tuna melts?
Something crisp with some texture will do well. So, potato chips would be a good choice (try used baked) or some fresh vegetables such as Tomatoes would also be great as sides. Also, try a simple salad tossed in with vinaigrettes. Avoid anything creamy since your tuna melt will already be heavy on the creamy flavor.
How many calories in a tuna melt?
A basic tuna melt sandwich should have about 350 calories. This is because of the bread and mayo used in the classic sandwich recipe. But, swapping the bread with the zucchini and using greek yogurt instead of mayo will make a huge difference in this recipe. They are much more healthy and come out to 84 calories a piece!
Making this recipe? I would love some feedback
Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you enjoyed this recipe and what changes you made to it. I would also love it if you take a moment and rate this tuna zucchini boat recipe. Don’t forget to tag m on Instagram so I can see your remakes.
Love Zucchini? Try these other easy and quick low carb recipes that are made with zucchini
- Healthy Eggplant And Zucchini Gratin
- Easy Chili Salmon Zucchini Noodles
- Pesto Shrimp Zoodles
- Baked Zoodle Egg Nests
- Low carb Turkey Burgers With Zoodles
- Zucchini Enchilada Roll-Ups
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Low Carb Tuna Melt Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 1 Large Zucchini, halved lengthwise
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 5oz Can Tuna , drained
- 1 Stalk Celery, finely chopped
- ½ small Red Onion, diced
- ¼ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Dill
- 1 Tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 Jalapeno, thinly sliced or chopped
- ¼ Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
- Corn
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Red chili peppers
- Green Onions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, then scoop out the insides and save for another use.
- Place the zucchini into the prepared baking tray, and spray with cooking oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then place into the middle rack of the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until just tender.
- In a mixing bowl, add tuna, celery, red onion, yogurt, dill, mustard, lemon juice, and jalapeño. Mix until combined, then taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Stuff the zucchini with the tuna mixture then sprinkle with cheddar.
- Continue to bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this for dinner with a side of sliced avocado and some watermelon chunks. I really enjoyed the recipe and appreciate your section regarding ingredient substitutes. The tanginess of the mustard, lemon juice And pickled jalapeรฑos that I used was great.
So glad you liked it! Thanks for the feedback
Made this dish tonight, it was deliciosus and so easy to make. Thank you! Tagged you in my story
Thanks! So glad you love it.
This was a great low carb/ low fat lunch! I didnโt have dill, so instead I used pennyโs Greek goddess dressing seasoning and it was PERFECT!!! Used violife vegan cheese instead – it was perfect. Added no additional sodium because the tuna was high enough
So glad you liked it
We made these last night and they were delicious and so easy (cooked them in the toaster oven to try and keep the heat in the house down). The jalapeรฑos made it!
I also doubled the tuna salad recipe and I’m so glad I did…it was delish and will make a great lunch today!
(I didn’t have any fresh dill so I just sprinkled dried dill on…I bet fresh would taste even more amazing!)
So glad I found your site (via IG).
So glad you liked this Amanda. Thanks for the feedback and review.
Excellent use of zucchini squash! I didn’t change a thing and it turned wonderful for lunch or a light dinner.
So glad you liked it Cindi
Hi! I read your recipe and i want to cook it, what if i donโt have dill? What can i do?
You can skip the dill.
Thank you, that was what i did. BTW i loved the tuna fish cheese and my family too. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
That’s awesome. So glad you liked it. Yay!
cant use japlenos, too hot for me, ill use baby mini sweet peppers in place!!
Yes, that will work too. Enjoy
This looks really good. Can this be made several hours in advance of cooking?
Yes. You can get it all ready up until its time to bake, just wrap it and place in the fridge.
Love the tuna fish boats. So yummy. I put additional jalapeรฑos on mine cause I love the heat and use Mayo. Still has low carb so works for me. Eat this 2-3 times/week! Canโt wait to try lasagna this way.
So glad you liked it, Kelly. Thanks for the feedback.
This is a great recipe! We loved it and will have again soon, thank you
So glad you loved it.
This was one of the best low carb recipes I’ve ever made, my husband and I love it!
Thank you for sharing!
So glad you guys liked it.
Can’t eat dairy, so I used mayo instead of Greek yogurt (bad, I know) and Daiya mozzarella instead of cheddar. SO DELICIOUS and quick. Reminded me of when my host mother served me this dish in France. Thank you!
That still sounds great! You have to do what can if you have dairy allergies ๐
So easy to make I hate celery but i was pleasantly surprised when added to the tuna. And greek yogurt who’d have thought. Loved it
So glad you liked it
What should I do with the scooped out zucchini?
I usually save it to add to soup or I add to omelets or sauteed veggies.
Love the recipe but your website drives me mental. Can’t you just sell an ebook or something instead of having all of these annoying ads?
Hi Jason. An ebook would be a great idea!
I made this dish the other night but I just made some small changes since I didnโt have some of the ingredients but it was delicious nonetheless. The leftover turned into the next dayโs lunch so win win
Thank you. I love left overs!
Made this dish last night and it was absolutely EVERYTHING. I love how unique and delish the combo is this is the second recipe Iโve tried from this blog and it wonโt be my last โจone happy healthy chick
Thank you, Peyton. Glad you liked it.
Love this recipe! Great use of the bumper crop of zucchini!!