Lobster Mac and Cheese

Name: Lobster Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 oz cavatappi or elbow macaroni; 12 oz cooked lobster meat (from tails or pre-cooked), cut into chunks; 6 tbsp unsalted butter; 6 tbsp all-purpose flour; 2 cups whole milk; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded; 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 tsp dry mustard powder; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for topping), melted

An indulgent take on a classic comfort dish, featuring tender chunks of lobster folded into a velvety three-cheese sauce with pasta, then baked under a golden breadcrumb crust. A special-occasion showstopper that is easier to make than it looks.

65 minMediumServes 4720 cal/serving

AmericanDinnerStovetop and OvenStandardHigh ProteinNut-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

12 oz cavatappi or elbow macaroni
12 oz cooked lobster meat (from tails or pre-cooked), cut into chunks
6 tbsp unsalted butter
6 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp dry mustard powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tbsp unsalted butter (for topping), melted

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Cook 12 oz cavatappi or elbow macaroni in well-salted boiling water until just shy of al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
2

In a large oven-safe saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds. Whisk in 6 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook, whisking, 1-2 minutes until pale and nutty-smelling.
3

Slowly whisk in 2 cups whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream, a little at a time, until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring, until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 4-5 minutes.
4

Remove from heat and whisk in 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese a handful at a time until melted and smooth. Season with 1/2 tsp dry mustard powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
5

Fold in the drained cavatappi or elbow macaroni and 12 oz cut into chunks cooked lobster meat (from tails or pre-cooked). Taste and adjust seasoning.
6

In a small bowl, toss 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter (for topping). Sprinkle evenly over the pasta.
7

Bake until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling at the edges, 20-25 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

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Questions

What oven temperature does Lobster Mac and Cheese need?

For Lobster Mac and Cheese, the oven is set to 375 F (about 190 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 25 minutes, in step 7.

Is there a substitute for Gruyere in Lobster Mac and Cheese?

The entry for Lobster Mac and Cheese calls for 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded. In its place: Emmental, Jarlsberg or a good Swiss cheese melts the same way. Comte is the closest in flavor.

Is Lobster Mac and Cheese spicy?

Moderately. The heat in Lobster Mac and Cheese comes from 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. For a milder plate, halve the cayenne; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Can I make Lobster Mac and Cheese dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (6 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for topping), melted) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free dinner collection instead.

Does Lobster Mac and Cheese contain shellfish?

Yes: 12 oz cooked lobster meat (from tails or pre-cooked), cut into chunks. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and shellfish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How many calories are in Lobster Mac and Cheese?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 720 calories, with 42 g protein, 52 g carbohydrate and 48 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 1120 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

How do I store and reheat Lobster Mac and Cheese?

Refrigerate what is left of Lobster Mac and Cheese within two hours and eat it within two days (seafood turns fast). Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through. The pasta keeps drinking the sauce as it sits; loosen it with a splash of water or stock.

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