Lobster Mac Cheese Truffle (Printable)
Creamy macaroni enhanced with lobster and a touch of truffle oil for a rich, comforting dish.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni
→ Cheese Sauce
02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 3 cups whole milk, warmed
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
07 - 3 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded
08 - 2 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
09 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
→ Lobster
13 - 12 oz cooked lobster meat, chopped into bite-sized pieces
→ Topping
14 - 2 oz panko breadcrumbs
15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
17 - 2 tsp white or black truffle oil
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Melt 3 tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is lightly golden and bubbly.
04 - Gradually whisk in warm milk and heavy cream. Continue stirring constantly for 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
05 - Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar, Gruyère, and grated Parmesan until completely melted and smooth. Add kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
06 - Gently fold cooked macaroni and chopped lobster meat into the cheese sauce until evenly distributed.
07 - Pour the lobster mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
08 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and finely chopped fresh parsley. Mix until breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
09 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the surface of the mac and cheese.
10 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until topping is golden brown and cheese sauce is bubbly around the edges.
11 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle truffle oil over the surface before serving warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The three cheese blend creates an incredibly velvety sauce that coats every single noodle perfectly
- Adding tender lobster transforms comfort food into something that feels special enough for company
- That finishing drizzle of truffle oil makes the whole house smell like a fancy restaurant
02 -
- Never add cheese to a boiling hot sauce or it can separate and become grainy
- Freshly shredded cheese melts much better than pre shredded bags which contain anti caking agents
03 -
- Grating your own cheese makes a huge difference in how smoothly it melts into the sauce
- Letting the dish rest for those 5 minutes before serving helps portions hold their shape better