Name: The Best Lobster Mac & Cheese Recipe
Ingredients: 1 lb pasta; 6-10 lobster tails; 1 finely diced shallot; 3 finely minced garlic cloves; Parsley; Salt; Black pepper; 3 tbsp butter; 1/4 cup salted butter; 8 oz aged white cheddar cheese; 6 oz gruyère cheese; 1 cup parmesan cheese; 4 oz smoked gouda cheese; 2 1/4 cups half-and-half; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp dried garlic; 1 tsp ground mustard; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp dried onion; 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 tbsp melted butter; 1/4 tsp dried garlic; Parsley

Butter-Poached Lobster

Step 1: Prep the lobster [01:49]

Cut along the edge of the lobster tail using kitchen shears to free the top hard shell. Peel back the shell, break it around the tail, and use your thumb to loosen the meat from the shell.

Step 2: Cook the lobster [03:06]

Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and melt 3 tbsp of salted butter. Add the finely diced shallot, minced garlic, parsley, a pinch of sea salt, and a pinch of ground black pepper. Stir and cook for about a minute. Add an extra bit of butter, then drop in the lobster meat. Cook for 5-6 minutes until no longer translucent. Remove the lobster from the pan and set aside.

Cheese Sauce

Step 3: Make the roux [04:36]

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 1/4 cup of salted butter. Once melted, add 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 4-5 minutes to allow the flour to cook.

Step 4: Add half-and-half [05:15]

Gradually add 2 1/4 cups of half-and-half, about half a cup at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition to avoid clumps.

Step 5: Season the sauce [05:56]

Season with 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp dried garlic, 1 tsp ground mustard, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp dried onion. Whisk until incorporated.

Step 6: Add the cheese [06:50]

Add the grated cheeses (aged white cheddar, gruyère, parmesan, and smoked gouda). Stir with a spatula until combined. Cook over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly until completely melted and smooth. Stir in the garlic and shallot mixture from step 2, along with more parsley.

Assembly & Baking

Step 7: Combine and bake [07:49]

Add the cooked, drained pasta and the cooked lobster meat to the sauce. Mix well. Transfer to a casserole dish.

Step 8: Top and bake [08:34]

Mix 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp melted butter, 1/4 tsp dried garlic, and parsley in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture over the mac and cheese. Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Optionally, garnish with more chopped chives and lobster pieces before serving.