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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.

best tuna melt recipe

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!

classic tuna melt recipe

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.

classic tuna melt recipe

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.

best tuna melt recipe

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.

low carb tuna melt zucchini boats

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!

easy tuna recipe

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.

classic tuna melt recipe

Love Zucchini? Try these other easy and quick low carb recipes that are made with zucchini

low carb tuna recipe

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healthy tuna recipe with zucchini

5 from 39 votes

Low Carb Tuna Melt Zucchini Boats

By: Rena
Servings: 2
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
low carb tuna melt zucchini boats
Lightened-up tuna melt loaded with flavor and makes for a light lunch, brunch or dinner.

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

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 84kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 9gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 141mgPotassium: 497mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 459IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 118mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @healthyfitnessmeals or tag #healthyfitnessmeals!

easy low carb tuna lunch

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Recipe Rating




57 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Super easy to make and very tasty! This recipe has been in rotation for a few years now and we never tire of it. The only thing i omit is the celery (personally i don’t like it). For the rest, this recipe is perfection. Thank you for sharing 🙂

  2. This looks super yummy and I cant wait to try this. Is the serving size the whole zucchini ?

  3. 5 stars
    With Covid-19, I now have to include lunch menus in my repertoire. This is an excellent healthy lunch or light dinner. Very quick and easy. Thank you

  4. 5 stars
    Fantastic taste and easy to make. Husband wants this added to the food rotation. Thanks for sharing.

  5. 5 stars
    Excellent recipe! I added a tablespoon of Wickles jalapeno relish for a little extra kick. Thank you, so much!

      1. 5 stars
        Awesome! Was so excited to try this as Tuna melts are a staple for a later evening meal! Love this!

  6. I am making this now, I just wonder what do you ladies are doing with the inside of the zucchini? I don’t really want to waste anything

  7. 5 stars
    These were so so good. I happened to have all of the ingredients for this recipe on hand so it made for a quick and delicious dinner. And that tuna, AMAZING! I Just love dill. I used two cans of tuna, so I have plenty leftover. I look forward to having it again for lunch tomorrow. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.

  8. 5 stars
    I just took a bite because I could not wait, so yummy! But I am reheating to eat for tomorrow so hopefully it stays okay overnight!!