Romantic Lobster Mac Cheese (Printer-friendly)
Creamy mac and cheese with lobster and a crispy topping, perfect for elegant dinners and special occasions.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi
→ Lobster
02 - 12 oz cooked lobster meat, chopped
→ Cheese Sauce
03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 1 small shallot, finely minced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 3 cups whole milk, warmed
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
09 - 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
10 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
13 - 1/2 tsp paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
16 - Pinch cayenne pepper
→ Topping
17 - 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
18 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
19 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp butter. Add minced shallot and sauté for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Sprinkle flour into the saucepan and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Cook until flour is fully incorporated but not browned.
05 - Gradually whisk in warm milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue whisking for 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in Gruyère, sharp white cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth. Add Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Mix until fully incorporated.
07 - Fold cooked pasta and chopped lobster meat into the cheese sauce until evenly distributed.
08 - Pour the lobster mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
09 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and chopped parsley. Mix until crumbs are evenly coated.
10 - Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the pasta. Bake for 18-22 minutes until topping is golden brown and sauce is bubbling around edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of three cheeses creates layers of flavor that keep you coming back for seconds
- Lobster transforms ordinary mac and cheese into something that feels extravagant without being fussy
- It reheats beautifully for the next day, which might be even better than the first
02 -
- Undercook the pasta slightly because it will continue cooking in the sauce and in the oven
- Warm your milk before adding it to the roux to prevent lumps from forming
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded, the anti-caking coating prevents smooth melting
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients combine more smoothly, so take your dairy out about 20 minutes before starting
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese sauce for warmth that people will notice but not be able to identify