Ingredients
1 lb. cavatappi
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 1/2 c. whole milk
Pinch nutmeg (optional)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 c. shredded white cheddar
1 c. shredded Fontina
3/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan, divided
1 lb. cooked lobster, roughly chopped
1/2 c. Panko breadcrumbs
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 c. freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
Preparation
Step 1Preheat oven to 375°. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook cavatappi until al dente. Drain and set aside.Step 2In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Sprinkle over flour and cook until slightly golden, 2-3 minutes. Pour in milk and whisk until combined. Season with nutmeg if using, salt, and pepper. Let simmer until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Step 3 Remove pan from heat and stir in cheddar, Fontina, and 1/2 cup Parmesan and whisk until smooth. Fold in pasta and lobster and transfer into a 9"-x-13" baking dish. Step 4 In a medium bowl, combine Panko, the remaining Parmesan, and oil. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle over pasta. Bake until bubbly and golden, 20-25 minutes.
In addition to luxurious lobster, we threw in three (yes, THREE) types of cheese into the mix to make this ultra-creamy. Topped with Panko breadcrumbs for a savory crunch, this rich dinner for two will impress at any date night or holiday gathering. The best part? This impressive dish comes together in under an hour (with very little effort!), but tastes so irresistible, everyone will think you’re a pro in the kitchen. 😎 What if I can’t find fresh lobster? Too difficult to find fresh lobster in your neck of the woods? Canned works too! What do I serve with lobster mac & cheese? Complete your dinner spread with something fresh to balance the creamy richness of your lobster mac. Roasted Asparagus, Bacon Pea Salad, Sautéed Brussels Sprouts and a crisp Arugula Salad would all give a refreshing contrast to the creamy dish. Buttermilk Biscuits would also be ideal to get every last drop of the delicious sauce, tbh. How do I store it? This creamy, cheesy pasta is best fresh, but if you manage to have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for around 3 days. In the mood for lobster? Check out our guide for how to cook lobster tails at home to bring the fancy restaurant to you — no stress required. Tried this recipe? Let us know how it came out in the comments below! Editor’s Note: This intro was updated to add more information about the dish on September 27, 2022.
