This baked lobster mac and cheese combines a flavorful blend of cheeses, spices, and a creamy sauce, creating a delicious and versatile dish suitable for both everyday dinners and special occasions.

Today we’re making baked lobster mac and cheese! A favorite ingredient to elevate home-cooked meals; Lobster adds a touch of luxury to various dinner options. From pairing it with steak for a surf and turf delight to incorporating it into a creamy mac and cheese, it never fails in making memorable meals!

Few tips:

• When cooking the elbow macaroni, make sure to cook it until al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. This helps prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
• Reserve some pasta water before draining the cooked macaroni. Adding a small amount of pasta water to the cheese sauce helps create a smooth and cohesive texture.
• Be cautious while seasoning the lobster. Start with a conservative amount of spices, as it’s easier to add more later if desired. Remember, you can always adjust the seasoning to your taste preferences.
• Keep an eye on the heat when melting the cheeses for the sauce. Low to medium heat helps ensure the cheese melts smoothly and doesn’t become grainy.
• After incorporating the lobster into the cheese sauce, be gentle when mixing to avoid breaking up the tender chunks of lobster.
• Taste the cheese sauce before adding the pasta to ensure the seasoning is well balanced. You can add a pinch more of any desired spices at this stage.
• When baking the mac and cheese, it’s best to use a lower shelf in the oven to prevent the top from browning too quickly. This allows the cheese to melt evenly throughout the dish.
• Consider garnishing the baked mac and cheese with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a pop of color and added freshness.

Process:

Lobster Mac and Cheese

This baked lobster mac and cheese combines a flavorful blend of cheeses, spices, and a creamy sauce, creating a delicious and versatile dish suitable for both everyday dinners and special occasions.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb Elbow macaroni

Lobster:

• 16 oz Lobster tail
• 8 tbsp Butter, unsalted 113 grams
• 1 tsp Old bay
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Onion powder

Rest of ingredients:

• 6 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Shallot, minced
• 3 tbsp All purpose flour
• 2 cups Heavy cream warmed
• 2 cups Evaporated milk warmed
• 1/2 cup Pasta water
• 1 tsp White pepper
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Old bay
• 8 oz Sharp cheddar Freshly grated
• 8 oz Gouda Freshly grated
• 8 oz Parmesan Freshly grated

Layering:

• Make sure to have some extra freshly grated cheese on the side for layering.

Instructions

 

Pasta:

• Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
• To prevent the cooked pasta from sticking together as we prepare the cheese sauce, you can either soak it in cold water or toss it with a drizzle of olive oil.

Lobster:

• Remove the lobster meat from the shell and chop it into pieces. In a large pan or dutch oven, melt the butter and add the chopped lobster tail. Season with paprika, old bay, onion powder, and garlic powder. Cook for 3 minutes.

Cheese sauce:

• Remove the lobster from the pan and set aside. In the same pan, sauté minced shallot and garlic for 3 minutes.
• In a small pot, warm the heavy cream and evaporated milk. Do not boil.
• Add flour to the sautéed shallot and garlic, and cook for another 3 minutes.
• Pour the warmed heavy cream and evaporated milk mixture into the pan, along with the reserved pasta water. Season with white pepper, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and old bay.
• Add the freshly grated cheddar, gouda, and parmesan cheeses to the pan. Mix on low-medium heat until fully melted.
• Return the cooked lobster to the cheese sauce and mix.
• Taste the cheese sauce and adjust the seasonings if desired.
• Mix in the cooked pasta until fully incorporated.

Bake:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Transfer the mac and cheese to a large baking dish or use hollowed-out bread loaves as individual serving bowls.
• Layer half of the mac and cheese in the baking dish and top with a layer of freshly grated cheese. Add the remaining mac and cheese and another layer of cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Optional: Broil the mac and cheese for a few minutes to crisp up the top. Keep a close eye on it as broiling can happen quickly.
• Remove from the oven and serve fresh.
• And your done!

Keyword bread bowl, dinner idea, lobster, mac and cheese