Lobster Mac and Cheese

Folks legit can’t get over how good my Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe is. The rave reviews speak for themselves. My trick is using a mix of different cheeses so you get a lot of meltiness and creaminess. Then I spice the heck out of that cheese sauce y’all. Add in the lobster and a crunchy topping of buttery bread crumbs, and this dish just hits hard. I serve it for any special occasion where I need to straight up impress folks.

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A large spoon removing lobster mac and cheese from baking dish

How To Make Lobster Mac and Cheese

Lobster split on a baking sheet with butter being brushed on top

Step 1: Cut lobster tails in half vertically and place on a foil lined baking sheet. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and brush the tops of lobster tails with butter then sprinkle with cajun seasoning. Bake for 10 minutes at 450 or until they develop a beautiful color then remove from shells. Roughly chop lobster into large chunks in a medium sized bowl and pour remaining butter from the baking sheet over the lobster and set aside. Lower temperature on oven to 375 degrees.

Butter added to a pan with garlic

Step 2: Add olive oil to pan and heat over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute then add 3 more tablespoons of butter to the pan and allow to melt down.

TIP: When your tails come out of the oven the meat should be firm and only very slightly opaque. Remember, the meat will continue to cook while resting.

Flour added to butter in a pot

Step 3: Quickly whisk in flour and cook for approximately 1 minute.

Spices added to heavy cream and milk in a large pot

Step 4: Pour in heavy cream and whole milk continuing to whisk. Next add onion powder , garlic powder, dry mustard, paprika and cayenne continuing to whisk. Season with salt and pepper.

Shredded cheeses in pot of milk and heavy cream

Step 5: Stir in half of shredded cheeses and allow them to melt continuing to stir. Once cheese melts down, turn off heat.

Butter and beaten egg in pasta in a bowl

Step 6: Stir in beaten eggs and 1 tablespoon of butter into the pasta.

Cheese sauce with lobster added to pasta in a baking dish

Step 7: Next pour as much of the cheese sauce as you would like (for super cheesy, use it all) and half of the lobster to the pasta and mix super well.

Shredded cheese over baking dish of lobster mac and cheese.

Step 8: Next spread remaining lobster over top of mac and cheese. Top with remaining shredded cheeses leaving the lobster pieces bare so they will be seen once baked. P.S. Add extra shredded cheese to the top of this dish if you want it to be super cheesy and have all the cheese pulls.

Lobster mac and cheese in a baking dish before baking

Step 9: Finally in a small bowl, melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and add breadcrumbs and toss together.

Lobster mac and cheese finished in a baking dish

Step 10: Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top leaving the lobster mostly bare so it peeks through and bake at 375 for 27-35 minutes. Rest before serving.

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TIP: If you like a little more bubbly, browned goodness, then use the last few minutes to broil. Watch carefully!

baked lobster mac and cheese on a spoon being lifted out of a dish

Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe

This Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe features a creamy decadent sauce made with four cheeses and tender chunks of lobster baked together with pasta to gooey perfection.
4.37 from 203 votes
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Servings: 14 servings

Ingredients

For the Lobster

  • 5 lobster tails Go up to 6 tails if you want it super meaty
  • 10 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 1 1/2-2 tsp cajun seasoning

For the Pasta

  • 8 cups water
  • 1 lb cavatappi pasta

For the Cheese Sauce

  • 1 1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded monterey jack
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded gruyere
  • 2/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 cup heavy cream room temp
  • 2 1/4 cup whole milk room temp
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3/4 tsp dry mustard
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne powder

For the Assembly

  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1/2 cup panko crumbs
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

For the Lobster

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Cut lobster tails in half vertically and place on a foil lined baking sheet.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and brush the tops of lobster tails with butter then sprinkle with cajun seasoning.
  • Bake for 10 minutes or until they develop a beautiful color then remove from shells. Roughly chop lobster into large chunks in a medium sized bowl and pour remaining butter from the baking sheet over the lobster and set aside.
  • Lower temperature on oven to 375 degrees.

For the Pasta

  • Next add water in a large pot along with some salt and boil pasta according to the package.  Drain and set aside.

For the Cheese Sauce

  • Toss all shredded cheeses together in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Add olive oil to pan and heat over medium high heat.  Add garlic and cook for 1 minute then add 3 more tablespoons of butter to the pan and allow to melt down.
  • Quickly whisk in flour and cook for approximately 1 minute.
  • Pour in heavy cream and whole milk continuing to whisk.
  • Next add onion powder , garlic powder, dry mustard, paprika and cayenne continuing to whisk.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir in half of shredded cheeses and allow them to melt continuing to stir. Once cheese melts down, turn off heat.

To Assemble

  • Add pasta to a 9×13 inch baking dish and stir in beaten eggs and 1 tablespoon of butter.
  • Next pour as much of the cheese sauce as you would like (for super cheesy, use it all) and half of the lobster to the pasta and mix super well.
  • Next spread remaining lobster over top of mac and cheese.  Top with remaining shredded cheeses leaving the lobster pieces bare so they will be seen once baked.  P.S. Add extra shredded cheese to the top of this dish if you want it to be super cheesy and have all the cheese pulls.
  • Finally in a small bowl, melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and add breadcrumbs and toss together.
  • Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top leaving the lobster mostly bare so it peeks through and bake at 375 for 27-35 minutes.
  • Rest for 10 minutes, sprinkle with parsley then serve.

Notes

How To Reheat & Store Lobster Mac and Cheese

Store Lobster Mac and Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, bake it in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes or until it’s heated through.
How Long Will Lobster Mac and Cheese Last In the Fridge?
This Lobster Mac and Cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I Freeze Homemade Lobster Mac and Cheese
While it’s possible to freeze Lobster Mac and Cheese, the texture of the pasta, lobster, and cheese sauce may change slightly upon thawing and reheating. It’s generally best to consume it fresh for the best flavor and consistency.

Nutrition

Calories: 578kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 423mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1455IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 484mg | Iron: 1mg
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Recipe Tips

  1. Cook the Pasta to Al Dente: Remember, it will continue cooking in the oven with the cheese sauce. Don’t overcook it because it will end up mushy.
  2. Avoid Overcooking the Lobster: They will continue to cook in the oven once mixed into the mac and cheese, so slightly undercooking them will keep them from being rubbery.
  3. Choose Fresh Lobster: Whenever possible, opt for fresh lobster. The freshness will shine in this mac. In fact, ask your local market attendant at the seafood counter to pull the good stash from the back.
  4. Let it Rest Before Serving: This allows the cheeses to set a bit.
  5. For the roux. Use room-temperature milk to avoid seizing and clumping.
  6. Taste as you go! Seasoning is always based on preference. A little extra paprika or garlic never hurt nobody.
  7. Don’t use pre-shredded cheese. They use an anti-caking agent to keep the cheese from sticking together so it doesn’t melt as well. Instead, buy in blocks and shred them yourself.

Recipe Help

Can I use gluten-free pasta?

Yep, you can use gluten-free pasta to make this. There are various gluten-free pasta options available in stores that can work well in this dish. Follow the cooking instructions on the package for best results.

Can I use frozen lobster?

Absolutely boos! Frozen lobster can be a convenient option. Just make sure to thaw it properly before incorporating it into the dish.

Can I make Lobster Mac and Cheese ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it ahead of time. Prepare the dish as instructed, but don’t bake it. Instead, cover and refrigerate it. When you’re ready to serve, simply bake it until it’s heated through and bubbly.

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Filed Under:  Christmas, Oven, Pasta, Seafood, Valentine's Day

Comments

  1. I made this for Fathers’s day….along with the Balsamic Brown Sugar Lamb Chops and the Peach Cobbler Cheesecake…..wow, wow, wow! I had never cooked lobster before, and had to do a quick google/pinterest search to figure out to butterfly the tails, but it’s easy enough once you figure it out. Honestly, the mac and cheese by itself was heavenly, but the addition of the lobster takes it to the next level. This is for sure going to be remade time and time again in my kitchen! I’m actually a bit sad I offered to share some with a friend….there’s less leftovers for me to enjoy! 😉

  2. Good morning, this dish looks so good I’m salivating. Could you upload a video? I’m a visual learner so that’d help me out a lot.

  3. Can you buy lobster already cooked, like you can crabmeat? I would love to try this but am intimated at cooking fresh lobster. Thank you

  4. This looks so decadent and creamy! I know my husband would love this since he’s a huge fan of lobster and mac and cheese!

  5. Once I see a “cheesy” picture, the recipe goes to my list to make. LOVE your lobster meal. I cannot wait to try…

4.37 from 203 votes (150 ratings without comment)

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