Romantic Lobster Mac Cheese (Printable)
Experience a luxurious take on a classic. Tender lobster, rich cheese sauce, and golden topping make this a truly special comfort dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 7 ounces elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
→ Seafood
02 - 7 ounces cooked lobster meat, roughly chopped
→ Cheese Sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
05 - 1 cup whole milk
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
08 - 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese
09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - Salt, to taste
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Topping
14 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
15 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
16 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
17 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish.
02 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, whisking continuously until the mixture is smooth and thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
05 - Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the cheddar cheese, Gruyère cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
06 - Gently fold in the cooked pasta and lobster meat until thoroughly coated with the cheese sauce.
07 - Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
08 - In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon melted butter, finely chopped parsley, and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
09 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling.
10 - Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving for optimal texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You'll feel like a gourmet chef without spending hours in the kitchen, I promise.
- It's the perfect way to turn a simple weeknight into a truly memorable date night, or just spoil yourself a little bit.
02 -
- Always undercook your pasta slightly when it's going into the oven; it will continue to cook in the sauce and you want it perfectly al dente, not mushy.
- Using freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded makes a world of difference in how smoothly your sauce melts and how creamy it becomes.
03 -
- For the smoothest, silkiest cheese sauce, always grate your own cheeses from a block; pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty.
- Taste your cheese sauce —before— adding the pasta and lobster, and adjust the salt and pepper – it should be perfectly seasoned on its own.