Lobster Mac with Herbed Breadcrumbs (Print version)

Creamy macaroni blends with lobster and a crispy herbed breadcrumb topping for a luxurious twist.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 3 cups whole milk, warmed
05 - 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
06 - 1 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese
07 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - ½ tsp mustard powder
09 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Lobster

12 - 12 oz cooked lobster meat, chopped

→ Herbed Breadcrumbs

13 - 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
15 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
16 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
17 - 1 tsp lemon zest
18 - Pinch salt

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente; drain and set aside.
03 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes.
04 - Gradually whisk in warm milk, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened, about 4–5 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in Gruyère, cheddar, and Parmesan until smooth. Add mustard powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
06 - Fold in cooked pasta and lobster, mixing gently. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
07 - In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, parsley, chives, lemon zest, and salt.
08 - Sprinkle herbed breadcrumbs evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
09 - Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until top is golden and sauce is bubbling.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way the creamy sauce clings to every curve of pasta while lobster pieces nestle into the sauce like hidden treasures
  • That moment when you crack through the herbed crust and steam rises up, carrying the scent of lemon and butter through the whole kitchen
02 -
  • Warming the milk before adding it to the roux is the difference between a silky smooth sauce and one full of stubborn lumps
  • The pasta continues cooking in the oven, so undercook it by about 2 minutes in the boiling water
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-grated packages that contain anti-caking agents
  • The lemon zest in the breadcrumbs is the secret ingredient that keeps each bite from feeling too heavy

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