In case you’re on the lookout for a fast, protein-packed lunch that really tastes superb, that is it. I’ve been making this herby cottage cheese tuna soften on repeat, and it’s change into considered one of my favourite 6-minute meals. Swapping mayo for cottage cheese retains issues gentle whereas including an additional increase of protein — and truthfully, the recent dill and parsley take it to a complete new degree.
This wholesome tuna soften is made with canned tuna, creamy cottage cheese (no mayo!), recent dill, parsley, and inexperienced onions, all piled onto toasted sourdough and topped with melty muenster cheese. It’s an open-faced tuna soften that’s excessive in protein, large on taste, and prepared in simply 6 minutes with solely 9 easy substances, and packs a whopping 46g of protein per sammie. It’s the final word cottage cheese recipe for lunch!

Why You’ll Love This Wholesome Tuna Soften
- Excessive protein: With canned tuna and cottage cheese mixed, this tuna soften packs round 40 grams of protein per serving.
- No mayo wanted: Cottage cheese offers you all of the creaminess of mayo with far more protein and fewer fats. You gained’t miss it!
- Recent and herby: Recent dill and parsley make this style a lot brighter than your common tuna soften. It’s a complete recreation changer.
- Prepared in 6 minutes: Simply 5 minutes of prep and about 1 minute underneath the broiler. 9 substances, one scrumptious open-faced sandwich.
Featured Components
- Canned tuna: I like utilizing stable white albacore tuna packed in water. Be sure to empty it rather well so your bread doesn’t get soggy.
- Cottage cheese: 2% cottage cheese replaces mayo right here. It provides creaminess and a protein increase with out the additional fats. In case you love cottage cheese egg salad, you’ll love this identical swap in a tuna soften.
- Recent dill and parsley: That is what makes this tuna soften particular! The recent herbs add a lot taste and freshness. I extremely suggest utilizing recent over dried right here.
- Inexperienced onions: Just a little crunch and gentle onion taste with out being overpowering.
- Sourdough bread: A thick-cut slice of sourdough is sturdy sufficient to carry all of the toppings and will get completely toasty. You might additionally do this on a cottage cheese wrap for a enjoyable twist!
- Muenster cheese: Muenster melts superbly and has a light, buttery taste that pairs completely with the herby tuna salad.




The right way to Make a Wholesome Tuna Soften
This cottage cheese tuna soften comes collectively so quick. You’ll combine the tuna salad filling with cottage cheese and recent herbs, pile it onto toasted sourdough, high it with muenster, and broil till bubbly and golden. The total ingredient quantities and detailed directions are within the recipe card beneath!
Ideas for the Greatest Tuna Soften
- Drain the tuna nicely: Extra liquid is the primary reason for a soggy tuna soften. Press the tuna towards the facet of the can or use a nice mesh strainer to get as a lot water out as attainable.
- Toast the bread first: Beginning with already-toasted sourdough offers you a sturdier base that gained’t get mushy underneath the tuna salad.
- Watch the broiler intently: Broiling solely takes about 1 minute, and issues can go from completely melted to burnt quick. Hold the oven door cracked and keep shut!
- Use thick-cut bread: A thicker slice of sourdough holds up higher underneath all of the toppings and offers you a nicer crunch.
- Cheese swaps: Muenster is my favourite right here, however cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, or provolone all work nice. Use no matter you will have available!
- Bread swaps: Attempt complete wheat, rye, an English muffin, or gluten-free bread. Simply ensure that to toast it first.
- Enjoyable add-ins: All the pieces bagel seasoning, purple pepper flakes, capers, or diced celery are all nice additions to the tuna salad.
- Air fryer methodology: Skip the broiler and pop your assembled tuna soften within the air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes till the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Make it a wrap: Swap the bread for a tortilla and make a cottage cheese wrap type tuna soften.
- Love cottage cheese in savory recipes? Attempt my cottage cheese mac and cheese subsequent — identical creamy, protein-packed vibes!
- Meal prep the tuna salad: The cottage cheese tuna salad filling might be made forward and saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. This makes weekday lunches tremendous straightforward — simply unfold it on toast and broil while you’re able to eat.
- Assemble recent: For the very best texture, I like to recommend assembling and broiling the tuna soften proper earlier than serving. The bread will get soggy if it sits too lengthy.
- Not freezer-friendly: I don’t suggest freezing this tuna soften, as the feel of the cottage cheese and bread modifications after thawing. In case you love tuna salad sandwiches, the filling is greatest loved recent or refrigerated.
Probably not! As soon as the cottage cheese is blended with the tuna, herbs, and lemon juice, it simply tastes creamy and tangy. You gained’t get any distinct cottage cheese taste — it blends proper in and acts as a lighter, protein-packed substitute for mayo.
This wholesome tuna soften has roughly 40 grams of protein per serving, because of the mixture of canned tuna, cottage cheese, and muenster cheese. That’s considerably extra protein than a conventional mayo-based tuna soften.
Completely! Whereas muenster is my go-to as a result of it melts so superbly, you’ll be able to swap it for cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, provolone, or any cheese that melts nicely. Use no matter you will have available or favor.
Sure! As a substitute of broiling, place the assembled tuna soften within the air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes till the cheese is melted and bubbly. Control it since air fryer instances can fluctuate.
The cottage cheese tuna salad filling is nice for meal prep — make a batch and retailer it within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Once you’re able to eat, simply unfold it on toasted bread, add cheese, and broil. I don’t suggest assembling the complete tuna soften forward of time, because the bread will get soggy.
Extra Tuna Recipes
In case you love this wholesome tuna soften, it’s a must to attempt a few of my different favourite tuna recipes!
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Add the tuna, cottage cheese, inexperienced onions, dill, parsley, lemon juice, and salt to a bowl. Stir to mix.
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Unfold the tuna salad on high of the toasted sourdough and high with a slice of muenster cheese.
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Place on a baking sheet and broil till the cheese is melted and golden brown, about 1 minute. Watch intently to forestall burning.
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Take away from the oven and serve instantly.
- Cheese swap: Be at liberty to make use of any kind of cheese rather than muenster — cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, and provolone all work nice.
- Drain your tuna nicely: Press the tuna towards the facet of the can or use a nice mesh strainer to take away extra water. This prevents a soggy tuna soften.
- Air fryer possibility: As a substitute of broiling, air fry the assembled tuna soften at 400°F for 3-4 minutes till the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Meal prep tip: The tuna salad filling might be made forward and saved within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Assemble and broil recent for the very best texture.
Energy: 460 kcal, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 46 g, Fats: 14 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 5 g
Vitamin info is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
Images by: The Picket Skillet
