Lobster Macaroni Cheese Breadcrumbs (Printer-friendly)
Creamy cheese sauce, tender lobster, and crunchy golden breadcrumbs baked to perfection.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni
→ Lobster
02 - 2 cooked lobster tails (about 9 oz meat), chopped
→ Cheese Sauce
03 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
05 - 3 cups whole milk
06 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
07 - ½ cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
08 - ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Breadcrumb Topping
12 - 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
13 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until just al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp butter. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to form a roux.
04 - Gradually whisk in the whole milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
05 - Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses until completely melted and smooth. Add the Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to taste.
06 - Gently fold the cooked macaroni and chopped lobster meat into the cheese sauce until evenly distributed.
07 - Pour the lobster macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
08 - In a small bowl, combine the fresh breadcrumbs, melted butter, and finely chopped parsley. Mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
09 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
10 - Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of three cheeses creates layers of flavor that keep you coming back for bite after bite
- It transforms an everyday comfort food into something that feels like a celebration without being fussy or complicated
02 -
- Don't skip resting the dish for 5 minutes, the sauce needs time to set up or it will be too loose when you scoop it
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded, the anti-caking coating in packaged cheese prevents smooth melting
03 -
- A pinch of cayenne in the cheese sauce adds warmth without detectable heat, it just makes everything taste better
- Don't skip the mustard powder even if you think you don't like mustard, it's the secret ingredient that makes cheese taste more cheesey