Garlic Butter Lobster Mac and Cheese (Printable Version)
Creamy pasta loaded with tender lobster in rich garlic butter sauce, topped with crispy golden parmesan breadcrumbs.
# What You'll Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 2 lobster tails (about 8 oz each), shells removed, meat chopped
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi
→ Garlic Butter
03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
→ Cheese Sauce
05 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
06 - 3 cups whole milk
07 - 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
08 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
09 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - ¼ tsp smoked paprika
→ Topping
13 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
15 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt 4 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chopped lobster meat and cook for 2-3 minutes until just opaque. Remove lobster with a slotted spoon and set aside.
04 - Sprinkle flour into the same skillet and whisk for 1 minute to cook out raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook sauce until thickened, about 4-5 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Add Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and ½ cup Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
06 - Stir cooked pasta and lobster meat into the cheese sauce, mixing gently to distribute evenly. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
07 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and ¼ cup grated Parmesan. Mix until evenly distributed.
08 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the pasta. Bake for 15-18 minutes until topping is golden brown and sauce is bubbling around the edges.
09 - Let the mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of tender lobster and velvety cheese sauce feels like restaurant quality comfort food
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you spent all day making it
02 -
- Overcooking the lobster makes it rubbery, so watch it carefully and remove as soon as it turns opaque
- Adding cheese to hot milk can cause it to separate, so reduce that heat first
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for the smoothest sauce
- Use room temperature milk to help prevent lumps in your roux