Lobster Mac and Cheese: the phenomenal recipe for a decadent seafood dish

If you've been searching for an indulgent way to jazz up your favorite mac and cheese recipe, look no further. This outstanding lobster mac and cheese is the perfect elegant yet rich dish to serve when you're in the mood to treat yourself or want to impress loved ones on special occasions.

Made with succulent lobster tail, pasta, and a wonderfully creamy three-cheese sauce, lobster mac and cheese hits all the right notes. Serve your lobster mac and cheese with a green salad, roasted vegetables, and some garlic bread to make a wonderful, comforting yet elegant meal that everyone will enjoy.

Lobster Mac and Cheese Ingredients

To make the best lobster mac and cheese at home, you'll need fresh lobster tails cooked in your preferred way (grilling or poaching in butter are both phenomenal options), pasta, cheese, milk, cream, and seasonings.

You'll also need butter and flour to make a roux to thicken up the sauce.

There are a few types of cheese that go especially well in this recipe. Cheddar, parmesan, and gruyere are the top choices, but Swiss, provolone mozzarella, and Havarti would all be fantastic options.

For the crunchy topping, you'll need breadcrumbs, butter, cheese, and some freshly chopped herbs like parsley.

How to Buy the Perfect Lobster Tail

The key to making the best-ever lobster mac and cheese is to pick up fresh lobster tail from your local fishmonger. While you can use frozen lobster tail, it never tastes quite as good as fresh. Look for tails that are free from discoloration,

How to Make Lobster Mac and Cheese

It's super easy to make this gorgeous lobster mac and cheese at home. The best part is that it only takes about an hour to put together this decadent recipe. Preheat your oven to 400F and grease a baking dish.

Make the pasta according to the direction on the package, then set it aside to drain. Whisk the breadcrumbs, butter, parmesan, and parsley for the topping, then put it off to the side.

How to Cook the Lobster

You can bake, grill, or poach the lobster before adding it to your pasta. Whichever way you choose, the general rule of thumb for cooking lobster tail is 1 minute per ounce. Grilled lobster tails add a wonderful smoky, charred flavor to this mac and cheese, but you can also poach the lobster tails in butter for an extra rich, creamy, and decadent flavor. Don't use precooked lobster tails – they won't be as tasty and may turn rubbery as you cook the mac and cheese.

How to Make Cheese Sauce

To make the creamy cheese sauce, melt the butter in a pot then add in the flour. Whisk the mixture and cook it for 1 to 2 minutes. In a second pot, stir the milk and cream. Pour the milk into the flour, whisking the entire time.

Bring it to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the mixture thickens, whisking constantly so the milk doesn't burn. Turn off the heat. Stir in the cheese, mixing until the sauce is completely smooth.

How to Bake the Mac and Cheese 

Toss the pasta with the cheese sauce. Add half of the cooked lobster meat to the pasta, then gently stir. Transfer the pasta to the baking dish and top it off with the remaining lobster. Spread the breadcrumb topping over the pasta and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The cheese should be nice and bubbly, while the breadcrumbs should be lightly browned.

Seafood Mac and Cheese Variations

There are plenty of delicious variations of seafood mac and cheese to try. Swap out the lobster for shrimp or tiger prawns, use fish like salmon, tuna, or cod, or try it with crab.

Tips for Creamy Lobster Mac and Cheese

The best types of pasta for mac and cheese include penne, macaroni, or shells.

Use fresh lobster tails to make your lobster mac and cheese.

Don't overcook the pasta on the stovetop. It should be cooked to just al dente. Overcooking it will result in mushy pasta.

For ultra-indulgent seafood mac and cheese, use whole milk and heavy cream. However, you can use skim milk and light cream or half-and-half if you prefer.

Shred the cheese yourself – it'll melt more evenly.

What to Serve with Lobster Mac and Cheese

Seafood mac and cheese is best served with a side of garlic bread, a light green salad, or some roasted vegetables.

How to Store Seafood Mac and Cheese 

Once cooled, place the mac and cheese in an airtight container and enjoy it within 2 days.

Can You Freeze Lobster Mac and Cheese?

Once cooked, it's not recommended to freeze your lobster mac and cheese. Cooked lobster doesn't freeze well, neither does the creamy cheese sauce.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400F. Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.

Prepare the pasta to al dente according to the instructions on the packet. Drain the pasta, then run it under cold water. Set aside.

In a saucepan, melt the butter then add in the flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes.

In a second pot, stir the milk and cream to combine.

Whisk in the flour mixture.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the mixture thickens, whisking constantly. Take the milk mixture off the heat.

Add the cheese into the milk mixture.

Whisk until smooth and lump-free.

Toss the pasta with the cheese sauce.

Mix half of the lobster meat into the pasta.

Transfer the pasta to the baking dish. Mix in the remaining lobster.

Spread it evenly.

In a small bowl, whisk breadcrumbs, melted butter, parmesan, and parsley.

Spread the breadcrumb topping over the top of the pasta.

Spread it evenly.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese sauce, is bubbly and the topping has browned.

Notes

Use a 9×13-inch pan to make your lobster mac and cheese.