Lobster Mac Cheese Recipe
Savor the richness of creamy cheeses combined with tender chunks of lobster in this decadent twist on classic mac and cheese. Every bite offers a perfect balance of buttery lobster and crispy panko topping for an unforgettable meal.
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Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lb lobster steamed and removed from shell
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/3 cup flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 1/2 cups Swiss or Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 cup green onion sliced
Panko Topping
- 1/2 cup panko or bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 425°F. Remove the lobster meat from the shell, chop it into bite-sized pieces, and set it aside for later.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the elbow macaroni, and cook for around 10 minutes until the pasta is tender. Drain the water and stir in a teaspoon of olive oil to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Set aside.
- For the cheese sauce, heat a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat. Add the butter and minced garlic, allowing the butter to melt completely. Once melted, stir in the flour and let it cook for about 3 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously. The sauce will begin to thicken as it heats, so keep an eye on it and whisk regularly to avoid lumps.
- Once thickened, remove the sauce from heat and add the paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, cheddar cheese, Swiss or Gruyère cheese, Parmesan, and sliced green onions. Stir until the cheeses melt into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, Parmesan, and black pepper to create a crunchy topping.
- In a 9x9-inch baking dish, add the cooked macaroni and lobster meat. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta mixture, stirring gently to combine everything. If you find yourself with extra cheese sauce, save it for later—it’s perfect for drizzling over vegetables like broccoli.
- Sprinkle the panko topping evenly across the surface of the macaroni and cheese, and then place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for about 24 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
- Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish each serving with extra Parmesan, a dash of black pepper, and a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest. Enjoy this decadent, seafood twist on a classic mac and cheese!