Description
This rich and creamy lobster mac and cheese combines tender, buttery lobster meat with a cheesy, velvety sauce for the ultimate comfort dish. Perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to elevate classic mac and cheese!
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 1 ½ cups cooked lobster meat, chopped
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings:
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions).
- Drain and toss with a small amount of butter or oil to prevent sticking.
-
Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes until a golden roux forms.
- Gradually add milk and heavy cream, whisking to create a smooth sauce.
- Add Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for extra flavor.
- Reduce heat and slowly stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until fully melted.
-
Incorporate the Lobster:
- Fold in cooked lobster meat, letting it warm for 1-2 minutes to absorb the flavors.
-
Combine and Serve:
- Mix the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, ensuring everything is well-coated.
-
Optional – Bake for a Crispy Topping:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Transfer mac and cheese into a buttered baking dish.
- Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
-
Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating Tips: Add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to maintain creaminess.
- Customization: Add truffle oil, crispy bacon, or a spicy kick with cayenne pepper for extra flavor variations.
- Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and cooking methods.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: lobster mac and cheese, creamy lobster mac and cheese, gourmet mac and cheese, baked lobster mac and cheese, seafood mac and cheese