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This delicious Easy Tuna Melt Dip with Cheddar and a hint of Tabasco makes the perfect light lunch or snack.
It has all the cheesy, gooey goodness of a classic tuna melt sandwich, but it’s a great choice if you’re after something lighter.
Sprinkle over green onions and enjoy this dip with your favorite crisp veggies, chips, or crackers. Or enjoy it as a tasty appetizer at your next dinner party.
Serving Suggestion
Try the dip unbaked for a different taste.
Easy Tuna Melt Dip with Cheddar Ingredients
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Tuna: I use canned albacore tuna in olive oil, but canned tuna in water is fine, too.
- Red onion: Adds sharpness. A little goes a long way.
- Cream cheese and mayonnaise: For a rich, creamy texture.
- Cheddar: Makes the dip cheesy and gooey.
- Tabasco: Adjust to your taste.
- Smoked paprika: Adds an earthy, smoked flavor.
- Green onion: Fresh, oniony crunch to balance the rich flavors.
How to Make Tuna Melt Dip
- Mix the ingredients: Preheat the oven to 190ºC (375ºF). Add half the shredded cheddar, red onion, tuna, cream cheese, mayo, paprika, and Tabasco to a medium bowl. Season to taste.
- Transfer to a baking dish: Spoon the dip into a heat-proof dish and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Possible Variations
- Tuna: Use a spicy-flavored tuna, shredded chicken, or hot-smoked salmon.
- Cheddar: Try shredded mozzarella, gruyere, gouda, or emmentaler.
- Mayonnaise and cream cheese: Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Paprika: Add more flavor with sriracha, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, or cayenne.
- Green onion: Swap for finely chopped fresh parsley, dill, coriander, or even pickles.
How to Store Leftovers
Transfer the dip to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. Enjoy it within 2 days.
FAQs
Not at all, use any medium-sized heat-proof skillet or dish you have.
Yes, you can get started a few hours in advance. Keep it in the fridge and bake it just before your guests arrive.
More Dips
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Easy Tuna Melt Dip With Cheddar
Equipment
Ingredients
Tuna dip
- 185 grams tuna
- 1/2 red onion, small, chopped finely
- 100 grams cheddar
- 50 grams cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, or sour cream
- 1 tsp Tabasco
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- green onion, to garnish
- sea salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
To serve
- 1 cucumber
- 6 stalks celery
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190ºC (375ºF).
- Drain the tuna.
- Shred the cheddar.
- Mix tuna, red onion, cream cheese, and mayo in a medium bowl.
- Add paprika, Tabasco, and half the shredded cheddar. Season to taste.
- Place the tuna mixture in a baking dish.
- Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onion.
- Remove from the oven and serve on a platter with cucumber, celery, carrots, crackers, or tortilla chips.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
