Lobster Macaroni Cheese Deluxe (Printer-friendly)

Rich lobster and melted cheese combined with pasta, topped by golden, crispy breadcrumbs for a savory dish.

# What You’ll 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 macaroni until just al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large saucepan, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a smooth roux.
04 - Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for 4–5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until fully melted and smooth. Add Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
06 - Gently fold the cooked macaroni and chopped lobster meat into the cheese sauce until evenly distributed.
07 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
08 - In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, and parsley. Mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened.
09 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
10 - Bake for 20–25 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of three cheeses creates depth that hits every comfort note you didn't know you needed
  • Lobster transforms familiar mac and cheese into something that feels genuinely celebratory without requiring restaurant prices
  • That golden crunch on top against the creamy underneath is basically perfect in every way
02 -
  • Adding cheese to a piping hot roux can cause it to separate and turn grainy so always remove from heat first
  • Overbaking will make the sauce oily and the lobster rubbery so keep a close eye on that topping
03 -
  • A pinch of cayenne in the sauce adds subtle warmth that enhances rather than overwhelms
  • Letting the dish rest for those 5 minutes before serving helps the sauce set slightly so it's not too runny