Lobster Mac & Cheese – New England Today
Combine comfort food with the ultimate New England splurge in this flavorful and award-winning Lobster Mac & Cheese. It’s decadent and delicious!
Adapted from Cal Hancock of the Hancock Gourmet Lobster Company, this recipe beat out Bobby Flay’s version in a 2010 episode of Throwdown!
Total Time: 45
Yield: 6 servings
For the pasta:
Ingredients
- 1 pound shaped pasta, such as elbows or shells
- 8 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups light cream
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
- Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 8 ounces cooked lobster meat (from about two 1-1/2-pound lobsters), cut into bite-size pieces
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain in a colander, set into the sink, and rinse with cold water to cool. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350°. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic; cook until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
Melt remaining 5 tablespoons butter in the saucepan. Whisk in flour and stir until mixture is light golden-brown and glossy, 8 to 10 minutes. Gradually whisk cream into flour mixture, increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring, until mixture is thick, creamy, and smooth, 10 to 15 minutes.
Stir onion/garlic mixture and cheeses into cream mixture until melted and smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper; then gently stir in lobster and reserved pasta. Pour mixture into a 4-quart casserole and smooth the top.
Next, make the topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add breadcrumbs and parsley; cook, stirring , until lightly toasted. Sprinkle evenly over casserole.
Bake in preheated oven until sauce is bubbly and the top is golden-brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
For the topping:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Next, make the topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add breadcrumbs and parsley; cook, stirring, until lightly toasted. Sprinkle evenly over casserole.
Bake in preheated oven until sauce is bubbly and the top is golden-brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
