Lobster Mac Cheese Herbed Breadcrumbs (Printable View)
Rich macaroni blend with lobster, creamy cheeses, and a crisp, flavorful herbed breadcrumb crust.
# 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 (2 oz)
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 Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook elbow macaroni until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a smooth paste.
04 - Gradually pour in milk and heavy cream while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
05 - Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses until completely melted and smooth. Add Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, whisking to combine.
06 - Add cooked macaroni and chopped lobster meat to the cheese sauce. Gently fold together until pasta and lobster are evenly coated.
07 - Pour the lobster macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
08 - In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add fresh breadcrumbs and toast for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in parsley, chives, lemon zest, and garlic powder.
09 - Sprinkle the herbed breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese, covering the surface completely.
10 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The way the sweet lobster meat plays against that sharp, creamy cheese sauce is the kind of flavor combination that makes people forget their manners
- This looks impressive enough for company but comes together in about an hour, making it perfect for those nights when you want to feel fancy without spending all day in the kitchen
02 -
- Do not bake the pasta until completely done during the initial boil, or it will turn mushy in the oven
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded cheese, which contains anti-caking ingredients that prevent smooth melting
03 -
- Tear your lobster into larger chunks rather than small pieces so every bite feels luxurious
- Let your cheese sauce cool slightly before combining it with the pasta so it coats each elbow more evenly