<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001502711</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JMF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001294621</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CUNNANE JAMES J JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>FIDUCIARY ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>8235 FORSYTH BOULEVARD, SUITE 700</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. LOUIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Portfolio Manager</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James J. Cunnane, Jr. by Susan Steiner pursuant to Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-02-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
