Lobster Mac and Cheese

Description

High class meets down home. This dish is just my style. The amazing combination of flavors make this one of my favorites.

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
  • 1 (2 pound) lobster, split
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 10 black peppercorns
  • 2 cups milk
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 pound shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup grated Romano cheese
  • kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons panko bread crumbs

Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling
  2. stir in the macaroni
  3. and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered
  4. stirring occasionally
  5. until the pasta has cooked through
  6. but is still firm to the bite
  7. about 8 minutes. Reserve about 2 cups of the hot pasta water
  8. then drain the pasta in a colander set in the sink
  9. and rinse with cold water to cool. Set aside.
  10. Return the pasta water to the large pot
  11. and place the lobster halves in the pot
  12. cut-side up. Return the water to a boil
  13. then reduce heat to medium-low
  14. cover
  15. and steam the lobster just until the meat firms and turns opaque
  16. about 3 minutes. Remove the lobster and allow to cool for a few minutes
  17. then remove the meat and cut into bite sized pieces. Reserve the shells.
  18. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent
  19. about 5 minutes; scrape the onions into a small bowl and set aside. Place the reserved lobster shells
  20. garlic
  21. shallots
  22. peppercorns
  23. and milk into the saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat
  24. and cook for 20 minutes.
  25. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  26. Melt 5 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour
  27. and stir until the mixture becomes paste-like and light golden brown
  28. about 10 minutes. Strain the milk through a mesh sieve. Gradually whisk the milk into the flour mixture
  29. and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook and stir until the mixture is thick and smooth
  30. 10 to 15 minutes.
  31. Stir the Gruyere
  32. Cheddar
  33. and Romano cheeses into the thickened milk mixture until melted and smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper
  34. then stir in the reserved lobster
  35. onions
  36. and macaroni. Pour the macaroni into a 4 quart casserole and smooth the top. Sprinkle evenly with the panko crumbs.
  37. Bake in the preheated oven until the sauce is bubbly
  38. and the top is golden brown
  39. 8 to 12 minutes.

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 8

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