Coastal Lobster Mac and Cheese (Print)

Luxurious pasta with tender lobster, creamy cheese sauce, and fragrant dill butter topping reminiscent of a classic lobster roll.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi

→ Lobster

02 - 12 oz cooked lobster meat, chopped
03 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Cheese Sauce

04 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
05 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
06 - 2 cups whole milk
07 - 1 cup heavy cream
08 - 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
09 - 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
10 - ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - ½ tsp garlic powder
13 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Dill Butter Topping

15 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
16 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
18 - Zest of 1 lemon
19 - Pinch of sea salt

→ Garnish

20 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely sliced
21 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Cook elbow macaroni or cavatappi in well-salted boiling water until it reaches the al dente stage. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped lobster meat and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until just warmed through. Remove from heat and reserve.
04 - In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
05 - Gradually whisk the whole milk and heavy cream into the roux until the mixture is smooth. Continue to cook, whisking frequently, for 3-5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
06 - Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the shredded sharp white cheddar, Gruyère, and grated Parmesan cheeses, along with the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until all cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
07 - Gently fold the cooked pasta and the sautéed lobster into the cheese sauce, ensuring everything is well combined.
08 - Pour the macaroni and lobster mixture into the prepared baking dish.
09 - In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, panko breadcrumbs, chopped fresh dill, lemon zest, and a pinch of sea salt. Mix thoroughly.
10 - Evenly sprinkle the dill butter topping mixture over the macaroni. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the edges of the mac and cheese are bubbling.
11 - Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with finely sliced fresh chives and serve with lemon wedges on the side, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect balance of coastal luxury and homestyle comfort
  • Impressive enough for special occasions but simple enough for a weekend treat
  • Creates restaurant-quality results with straightforward techniques
02 -
  • The quality of your lobster dramatically impacts the final dish
  • This recipe can be assembled up to one day ahead and refrigerated before baking
  • Adding pasta water to thin the sauce if needed creates creamier results than using more milk
03 -
  • For the ultimate cheese sauce, always grate your cheese by hand rather than using pre-shredded varieties, which contain anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
  • Allow all dairy ingredients to come to room temperature before making the sauce for the smoothest incorporation.
  • And finally, trust your instincts with seasoning—taste before baking and adjust salt levels according to the natural saltiness of your cheeses and lobster.

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