Lobster Mac and Cheese Extravaganza

Recipe Collection: Dinner

Lobster Mac and Cheese Extravaganza elevates your dining experience with a luxurious take on a beloved classic. This pescatarian dish features tender lobster, a rich blend of Gruyère, Cheddar, and Romano cheeses, all topped with a crispy Panko crust. Perfect for special occasions or a cozy night in, this American cuisine masterpiece is sure to impress.

With its rich flavor profile, this dish is versatile enough to serve as a main course or a side. Easily accessible through the easyChef Pro App, you can explore personalized recipe recommendations, AI-powered pantry tracking, and smart shopping lists for effortless meal planning. Select this recipe today and enjoy step-by-step guidance to create a culinary masterpiece!

Overview

Indulge in a luxurious twist on a classic comfort dish with this Decadent Lobster Mac and Cheese. Featuring succulent lobster, a rich blend of Gruyère, Cheddar, and Romano cheeses, and a crispy Panko crust, this dish is perfect for special occasions or when you simply want to treat yourself to something extraordinary.

Diet Type

Pescatarian

Allergies

Dairy, Gluten, Shellfish

Cuisine

American

Serving Size: 8

Cooking Time: 95 minutes

Ingredients

• 16 Ounces (oz) package elbow macaroni
• 2 Pounds (lb) lobster, divided
• 7 Tablespoons (tbsp) butter, divided
• 1 Small onion, minced
• 2 Cups whole milk
• 1 Shallot, minced
• 10 Whole black peppercorns
• 1 Clove garlic, minced
• 5 Tablespoons (tbsp) all-purpose flour
• 1 Pound shredded Gruyère cheese
• 3 Cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 Cup grated Romano cheese
• 1 Pinch kosher salt, to taste
• 1 Pinch pepper, to taste
• 3 Tablespoons (tbsp) Panko bread crumbs

Steps

1. Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook Macaroni: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, about 8 minutes. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water, then drain and rinse the macaroni with cold water. Set aside.
3. Cook Lobster: In the reserved pasta water, add the lobster halves, cut-side up. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and steam until the lobster meat is firm and opaque, about 3 minutes. Remove the lobster, cool slightly, then extract the meat and cut into bite-sized pieces. Reserve the shells.
4. Sauté Onion: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Sauté the minced onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
5. Infuse Milk: In the same saucepan, add the reserved lobster shells, milk, minced shallot, peppercorns, and garlic. Simmer gently over medium heat for 20 minutes. Strain and discard solids.
6. Make Roux: In a separate saucepan, melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour, stirring until the mixture is light golden brown, about 10 minutes. Gradually whisk in the strained milk mixture, simmering until thick and smooth, about 10-15 minutes.
7. Combine Cheeses: Stir in the Gruyère, Cheddar, and Romano cheeses until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Assemble Dish: Stir in the lobster meat, sautéed onions, and cooked macaroni. Pour the mixture into a 4-quart casserole dish, smoothing the top.
9. Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle Panko bread crumbs over the top.
10. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden brown, about 8-12 minutes.
11. Serve: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the rich, creamy, and indulgent flavors of this elevated mac and cheese.

Enjoy your homemade Lobster Mac and Cheese Extravaganza!