Lobster Macaroni Cheese Herbed (Print Version)
Tender lobster combines with creamy cheese and herbed breadcrumbs for a satisfying main dish.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni
→ Lobster
02 - 2 cooked lobster tails (about 10 oz), meat chopped into bite-sized pieces
→ Cheese Sauce
03 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
05 - 3 cups whole milk
06 - ½ cup heavy cream
07 - 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
08 - 3 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded
09 - 2 oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated
10 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
11 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
12 - ½ tsp salt
13 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
→ Herbed Breadcrumbs
14 - 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
17 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
18 - 1 tsp lemon zest
19 - ¼ tsp garlic powder
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Cook the macaroni in salted boiling water until just al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a smooth roux.
04 - Gradually add milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly until smooth and no lumps remain. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until all cheese is melted and sauce is silky smooth.
06 - Fold in cooked macaroni and lobster meat until evenly distributed. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
07 - Melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in parsley, chives, lemon zest, and garlic powder.
08 - Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese, covering the surface completely.
09 - Bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden brown and sauce is bubbling around the edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of three cheeses creates an incredibly rich sauce that coats every single piece of pasta perfectly
- Lobster transforms familiar mac and cheese into something that feels like a restaurant quality dish you made yourself
- The herbed breadcrumbs add this incredible crunch that keeps you coming back for just one more bite
02 -
- Don't skip the step of removing the cheese sauce from the heat before adding the cheeses, or the sauce can separate and become grainy
- The breadcrumbs burn easily, so keep an eye on them during the last 5 minutes of baking and tent with foil if needed
03 -
- Buy already cooked lobster tails to save time and avoid the complexity of cooking live lobster
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded cheese coated in anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting