“I think you've got to keep it simple, keep it fresh.” - Emeril Lagasse
The ultimate comfort food is macaroni and cheese, but throw in some lobster, and you’ve totally elevated the dish to another level. There’s something decadent and magical about lobster, and it’s truly such a treat to enjoy.
The combination of gruyere and white cheddar with old bay seasoning in this dish is absolutely lovely - a perfect balance of silky texture and herbs and spices truly makes this meal a joy to eat.
Read more about how you can create this dish at home.
What You’ll Need:
sea salt
olive oil
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 quart whole milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups Gruyere cheese, grated
2 cups mild White Cheddar, grated
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
2 pounds cooked and chopped lobster meat
1 cup seasoned herb breadcrumbs
Instructions:
STEP 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
STEP 2: Drizzle olive oil into a large pot of boiling salted (to taste) water. Add macaroni and cook according to the packaged instructions for 6 to 8 minutes, then drain well, and let cool.
STEP 3: Heat milk in a pot, then add 6 tablespoons of butter and flour, whisking slowly over low heat for about 2 minutes. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens and is silky smooth.
Pro Tip: Do not boil the milk, you’ll want to keep it at low heat, not scorching it.
STEP 4: Remove the liquid mixture off the heat and add in both cheeses and seasonings, whisk together until smooth.
STEP 5: Add the cooked macaroni and lobster meat into the cheese mixture, and stir together.
STEP 6: Take 1 tablespoon of butter and coat 10-inch cast iron evenly, ensuring the pasta does not stick to the pan.
STEP 7: Slowly add the cheese, lobster, and lobster mixture into the cast iron.
STEP 8: Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and breadcrumbs and sprinkle on top of the macaroni. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly, and the breadcrumbs and macaroni has a golden crust on top.
STEP 9: Serve and enjoy!
XO, Analise