Simple Tuna Melt Quesadillas – Quick 10-Minute Lunch

When I want a simple and delicious lunch or easy meal, I always turn to these tuna quesadillas. They’re incredibly easy to make and personalize, provide a balanced meal and ready in minutes!

this Post!

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. You can read more here about our Disclaimer and Privacy Page.

Now that it’s summer and things are less structured, I feel myself gravitating towards snacky lunches, which are easy and impulsive, but not always filling.

It’s these times that I need to remind myself about my favorite tuna melt quesadillas – because these babies are ready in only 10 minutes and provide ample protein and fiber to keep you full for hours!

I’ve been a slave to tuna sandwiches and chicken salads throughout this fourth pregnancy. They’re what I crave daily. So, I knew I had to finally put these tuna quesadillas on the blog because they’re a favorite meal prep lunch recipe, especially when energy is limited.

These and hummus veggie pinwheels are the MVP go-to’s! When I have a little more energy, I’ll make my beloved tuna salad with greek yogurt, but sometimes, I need something even simpler.

Even if these quesadillas with tuna are super easy and you don’t really need a recipe, sometimes having one top-of-mind (printed out) is just an easy reminder for what I can make or what I have leftover in the fridge!

I also have my meal prep ebook printed out for easy recipe ideas.

Grab Our Meal Prep Ebook to Finally Conquer Meal Prep in the Kitchen

Why You’ll Love These Tuna Melt Quesadillas

• Full of flavor – Crispy tortillas, melty cheese, and a creamy, savory tuna filling blend so perfectly together. I like to pair with a cool edamame and corn salad.
• A simple way to eat more seafood. Tuna is an easy, budget-friendly way to eat seafood without any complicated prep (or if you’re grossed out by raw seafood). Tuna has so much good nutrition, like EPA and DHA!
• Perfect for lunch or dinner– Tuna melt quesadillas are versatile enough for a quick weekday meal or an easy weekend lunch – ready in only 10 minutes! Any meal in under 30 minutes is a win.
• Minimal cleanup. Everything cooks in one skillet, which means less washing dishes and clean up – a busy mom’s dream.

Gather Your Ingredients

A few notes about the key ingredients:

• Tortillas – I like to use whole wheat for extra protein and fiber, but plain white tortillas work too!
• Canned tuna – Tuna in oil or water both work, just drain the extra liquid from the can! I prefer Safe Catch tuna, especially since I’m pregnant, because it’s tested for mercury.
• Spinach- I like to make sure the spinach is diced thinly. I explain more how to do that below in the step-by-step instructions. You could also omit the spinach or use another green.
• Celery – Totally optional, but I like a nice crunch! Any colored bell pepper will also work.

How to Make Tuna Quesadillas in 10 Minutes

If you’ve only ever eaten tuna on sandwich bread, these crispy, cheesy tuna melt quesadillas are a fun upgrade that comes together in minutes while helping you get more protein and omega-3s into your day!

1. To start, add your mayo, garlic powder, lemon juice, spinach and celery to a medium bowl and mix well.
2. Gently fold the tuna in, adding salt and pepper as needed.
3. Heat butter or oil over medium-high heat to a skillet, and add your tortilla. Spread the tuna mixture over your tortilla and top with cheese.
4. Cover with another tortilla and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until tortilla starts to brown. Then, flip over and cook on low for another minute or two.

I like to cut the finished tuna melts into smaller triangles for the kiddos, and top with avocado, sour cream, yogurt, etc!

For a fun twist for kids, you can even use stencils to make fun shapes with the quesadillas. I often do this when I’m introducing a new food!

Servings 2 servings

Simple Tuna Melt Quesadillas – Quick 10-Minute Lunch

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN

When I want a simple and delicious lunch or easy meal, I always turn to these tuna quesadillas. They're incredibly easy to make and personalize, provide a balanced meal and ready in minutes!

No ratings yet

Print Pin

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• 2 Tbsp mayo
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ⅓ cup spinach, finely diced
• 1/3 cup finely diced celery or bell pepper
• 5 oz canned tuna
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 2 medium tortillas I used whole wheat
• 1 slice of sharp cheddar cheese or ½ cup shredded cheese
• Avocado, for topping optional

Instructions 

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the mayo, garlic powder, lemon juice, spinach and diced celery. Gently fold the tuna in. Add salt and pepper, as needed, to taste.
2. Heat butter over medium-high heat in a medium skillet or griddle. When the skillet warms, add your tortilla and spread the tuna mixture over it evenly (if you have a large tortilla, the mixture may all fit on one, but you can also divide it among two tortillas).
3. Sprinkle with cheese and top with another tortilla.
4. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until tortilla starts to brown. Flip your tortilla over, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts.
5. Remove tuna melt quesadilla from the pan and cut into triangles or servings.

Equipment

veggie chopper

Did you make this recipe?Let us know how it was!