Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe creamy, decadent and indulgent. This mac and cheese recipe has chunks of briny lobster within a creamy cheesey sauce. Perfect for the holidays or any other special occasion.
This whole blog post is going to be me attempting to convey my enthusiasm for this Lobster Macaroni and Cheese. I have wanted to make lobster macaroni and cheese for what feels like forever. But I’ve always hesitated. I’ve always doubted myself!
Does cheese and lobster actually go together?
Will it be good?
Is the price-point going to scare me and all of you away?
The first answer is YES. I don’t typically cook any sort of seafood with cheese but in this context it absolutely works. Will it be good? Umm…yes, it’s glorious. Will the price-point be scary? Not this time!
The Types of Cheese For Mac and Cheese
I gave a lot of thought to the other components of the mac n’ cheese. I paired the Aged Cheddar with gouda, which adds great meltability. Other options could be mozzarella or Gruyere. I also love adding Dijon mustard to a rich cheese sauce.
The gouda adds meltability and the Dijon mustard is necessary so it’s not too rich. The brininess from the lobster is so delicious in this macaroni and cheese.
How to Cook Lobster
I used 4 lobster tails, but it’s definitely doable with 2 lobster tails. The question is: how much do you love the people coming over?! I love this recipe with 4 lobster tails because it means A LOT of lobster of everyone.
Here’s an easy way to cook the lobster:
- Poach the lobster. You can cook lobster a few different ways. In this instance, I decided to poach it in salted water just until cooked. You actually want to undercook it by a bit so that it can finish cooking in the macaroni and cheese.
- Remove the lobster. Using a pair of kitchen scissors, flip the lobster over to its opposite side, and slice the shell on each side. Pull the tab back and remove the lobster out.
- Chop it up and proceed with the recipe!
How to Make Lobster Mac and Cheese
- Then there’s a roux. A roux begins with melted butter and flour. When the two have been combined, you pour in the milk.
- The milk thickens. After while, the milk will thicken as it combines with roux. A bit of whisking helps a lot!
- Cool it Down a Bit. When the roux mixture cools down a bit, you add the cheese. Mix until the cheese is all melty.
- Add the cooked pasta. Mix in the cooked pasta and give it a good stir.
- Mix in the chopped lobster. Add the chopped lobster to the cheesy mixture and pasta. Transfer it to a baking dish and top it with the panko bread crumb mixture.
- Bake until bubbly and golden brown on top!
I’m not a huge “baked macaroni and cheese” person. I usually like the creamy, stove-top version but this is with the crispy panko bread crumbs is absolutely delicious.
If you make this Lobster Macaroni and Cheese, let me know on Instagram!
What Goes Well with Lobster Mac and Cheese
The best part about this dish is that it’s great as a side dish OR as a main dish. She’s versatile! I personally like to serve this with a protein, like fish, a pot roast or roasted chicken. If you want to eat it with a side salad that’s really bright (I’m talking tons of lemon juice and red wine vinegar). OR some roasted vegetables.
Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
Bread Crumb Topping:
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pinch kosher salt
Lobster Macaroni and Cheese:
- 4 lobster tails about 20 ounces total
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 1/2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teapsoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 cups aged cheddar (about 8 ounces)
- 1 cup gouda cheese (about 5 ounces)
- 1 pound pasta (I love rigatoni or cavatappi)
- Chives as garnish
Instructions
To Make the Buttery Bread Crumbs:
- To a small saucepan, set over medium heat, melt the butter. When melted, add the breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt. Mix until the breadcrumbs are thoroughly coated. Set aside.
To Cook the Lobster Tails:
- Prep an ice bath: a bowl of water with a few handfuls of ice. Bring a pot of salted water to a medium boil (should be a chill boil, nothing too aggressive). Drop the lobster tails into the water and cook for about 2-3 minutes, until they mostly turn opaque. Plunge them into the ice water.
- Using kitchen scissors, cut the shell on both sides. Pull out the lobster meat and chop it up into bite-size pieces.
To Make the Macaroni + Cheese:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- To a medium pot, set over medium heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the flour and mix it together and cook the flour butter mixture for about 1 minute. Pour in the milk in two batches, stirring continuously in between additions. Cook until it thickens up, about 2 to 3 minutes. It’ll start to bubble up and thicken. Give it a good whisk and be sure to get in those corners of the pan to get any floury bits up and mixed in. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Turn off the heat and whisk in the kosher salt, crushed red pepper, Dijon mustard and a few rounds of pepper. Give it a taste and adjust the salt to taste. Add the grated cheeses and mix them in until they’re melted. Cover the pot with a lid and set aside.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package’s instructions, about 9 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and then immediately add it to the pot with the cheesy sauce, along with the reserved lobster. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer half of the macaroni to a 9 x 11-inch baking dish (or one that is comparable). Add a handful or two more of reserved cheese. Top it with the remaining macaroni. Smooth it into an even layer and then top it with the reserved breadcrumbs.
- Transfer it to the oven to bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the top is lightly golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Looking for more macaroni and cheese recipes? Here are some favorites:
Was great. Only mild complaint was a little spicy for my teeeangers. Would cut down or consider eliminating the red pepper flakes
What?? How could you doubt the goodness of lobster & mac n cheese?? It’s glorious!! I probably won’t make this during December, but it will be in my January recipe wish list!!
I made this for Christmas Eve dinner last night. It was wonderful! My family always has a more “fancy” meal on Christmas Eve and lobster always makes food more fancy to me! Thank you for the great recipe!
wonderful to hear this! 🙂
What do you do with the non-reserved lobster?
*sings* All I want for Christmaaaaaas…is THIS!!!!! I’m legit considering cancelling my Christmas Eve plans in order to stay home and make/eat this. All by myself, since my husband doesn’t like lobster. Still will use the recommended 4 lobster tails. Don’t judge.