Lobster Mac and Cheese

Content… What Makes It Special? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Comforting Southern Recipes to Try Conclusion Watch How to Make It

What Makes Lobster Mac and Cheese Special?

Ok, so you will spend more on fresh lobster meat than you would, say, on a bag of frozen shrimp but let me tell you, it’s worth the splurge. With a rich flavor that is sweeter and less “fishy” than crab meat, you’ll quickly see what the hype is about. Combined with the salty, savory flavors of mac and cheese, it’s impossible not to feel like a high-end chef when you taste the end result of this recipe. 👩🏽‍🍳

Recipe Ingredients

• Lobster – The star of the show here, lobster meat is tender and delicious. And here’s a fun fact: lobster meat is usually obtained from the tail, legs, knuckles, and large claws of this giant crustacean.
• Macaroni – Cook the macaroni according to its package instructions for optimum results. And please don’t forget to add salt to the boiling water when you cook the macaroni. Skipping this step might make your lobster mac and cheese tastes bland.
• Dairy – Butter, evaporated milk, and half and half make up the creamy base of this mac and cheese recipe.
• All-Purpose Flour – This one is needed to make the roux and thicken the sauce since we’re adding liquids to this seafood mac and cheese. We don’t want it to be too soupy, right? 😉 If you’re on a gluten-free diet, try corn starch or tapioca flour instead.
• Spices – Onion and garlic powder, creole seasoning, and cayenne pepper make this dish flavorful with just the right amount of kick. But you can skip the cayenne if you or someone in your family isn’t a fan of spicy foods.
• Cheeses – Mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and jack cheeses are the perfect mac and cheese trio, in my opinion. You can use your own cheese combinations if you prefer, though. American, Gruyere, Gouda, cream cheeses, and even vegan and dairy-free cheeses work well in this recipe.

How to Make Lobster Mac and Cheese

Cook the Lobster

• Boil Water – Add water to a large pot about 3-4 inches deep, enough to cover the whole lobsters. Then bring a pot of water to a rolling boil (water boiled rapidly with loads of bubbling).
• Add Lobster – Gently add lobsters to the boiling water headfirst. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting cover, return to a boil as quickly as possible, and then start the timer. It should take about 7-8 minutes for a 1½-pound lobster. NOTE: Add 2-3 minutes per pound for each additional pound for extra-large lobsters.
• Drain and shock lobsters under cold water.
• Final Stretch – Carefully remove the lobster from the pot; you can use tongs for this. Place it on a board or a working surface.
• Extract Lobster Meat – Carefully crack the lobster’s claw without tearing the meat, then remove the meat. This might be done by using a rolling pin, mallet, or lobster cracker to break it open.
• Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions and drain.

Make the Cheese Sauce

7. Make the Roux – Add butter to the skillet, and as soon as the butter melts, whisk in flour. Continue whisking until flour is thoroughly mixed with butter, then cook for about a minute to eliminate the flour taste.
8. Add the Liquids – Slowly add evaporated milk a little at a time, followed by the half and half; you do not want the mixture to form any lumps. Simmer for about 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
9. Spice it Up – Add seasonings, onion and garlic powder, Creole seasoning, and cayenne pepper.
10. Cook – Bring to a simmer and let it simmer gently for about 2 minutes.
11. Add Cheese – Stir in the cheeses (reserve ½ cup or more as a topping) and continue stirring until everything’s melted and evenly combined and smooth. Then adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Assembly

• Combine the Good Stuff – Add the pasta and lobster to the pan with the cheese sauce and stir to evenly incorporate. Spread some lobster at the top.
• Transfer the pasta mixture from the pan into a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish. Then top with the remaining cheese.
• Bake at 375℉/190℃ for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Recipe Variations

1. Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese – Replace the milk and cheese with cashew nuts and potatoes to get the creamy, cheese-like consistency. Resourceful, right?
2. Stovetop Mac and Cheese – No oven, no problem! You can still enjoy the best macaroni and cheese without baking. How cool is that? 😉
3. Seafood Smorgasbord – Throw in some shrimp, crab, scallops, or any of your favorite seafood. Ahh! What could be better than that? So delish!

Tips and Tricks

1. If you can’t find fresh lobster or don’t want to send a live lobster into a pot of boiling water at home, Costco and some other grocery stores carry prepackaged frozen lobster meat in the freezer section. It’ll save you time but let’s be real, nothing beats that fresh juicy taste of fresh seafood. Or some supermarkets will steam the lobsters for a small fee or even for free. Just ask your local seafood counter.
2. Salted or unsalted butter works for this recipe. If you use salted butter, though, adjust how much salt you add along the way so as not to overdo it.
3. Don’t have a can of evaporated milk in your pantry? Don’t sweat it because you can make your own evaporated milk at home, and it’s actually super easy. Try it!

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can totally make this recipe ahead of time, so you always have a fancy dish up your sleeve, ready when you need it. Then skip the baking part and store the dish in the fridge or freezer. Thaw (if required) and bake when ready to serve.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Serve the lobster mac and cheese fresh out of the oven while piping hot. You can sprinkle it with some fresh chopped parsley or chives to add a pop of color that tastes good too.

Though I seriously doubt you will have any leftovers, 😆 if you happen to have any, you can store them in an airtight container. Leftover lobster mac and cheese will stay good in the fridge for about three days, and it can keep up to two months in the freezer.

There are a few ways to reheat this dish. You can put it in a greased baking dish, cover it with aluminum foil, then reheat it in a 350℉/175℃ oven for 20-30 minutes. You could also microwave the dish or reheat it stovetop on medium-low heat. In any case, add one tablespoon of milk for every cup of mac and cheese you’re reheating to avoid dry pasta.

FAQs

What to Serve With Lobster Mac and Cheese

Serve this rich and delicious baked mac and cheese with equally comforting dishes like potato croquettes or collard greens. This dish also goes great with a refreshing tossed or Greek salad for an elegant side. You’ll be so surprised how well they pair!

More Comforting Southern Recipes to Try

1. Smoked Pork Belly
2. Cajun Shrimp Boil
3. Shrimp Etouffee
4. Southern Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits
5. Seafood Gumbo

Conclusion

So go ahead and invoke your inner chef to make this scrumptious version of mac and cheese sure to impress your friends and family. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to whip up such a fancy dish! Are you hungry for more seafood recipes? Then subscribe to my newsletter to stay up to date.❤️

Watch How to Make It

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This blog post was first published in February 2019 and has been updated with additional information and a video.