Description
A luxurious blend of lobster and creamy cheese sauce enveloping pasta, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (or another short pasta like cavatappi or penne)
- 2 cups cooked lobster meat, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for a richer sauce)
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Lobster: If using raw lobster, steam it until fully cooked and chop it into bite-sized pieces. If using pre-cooked lobster, simply chop it and set it aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the flour to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the whole milk, ensuring no lumps form. Cook for about 5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth. Add the Dijon mustard and smoked paprika, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped lobster, and cheese sauce. Mix until everything is well coated.
- Prepare the Topping: In a separate bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese. This will create a crunchy topping for the mac and cheese.
- Bake the Lobster Mac and Cheese: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the lobster mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish. Evenly spread the panko topping over the dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden and crispy.
- Garnish: Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley and lemon zest, if desired, to enhance the flavors before serving.
Notes
Let the dish rest for a few minutes after baking to meld flavors. Pair with a light salad for balance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: lobster, mac and cheese, holiday recipes, comfort food, seafood recipes