Lobster Mac & Cheese

 

PASTA

 

Total Time: 1 hr, 30 mins

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr

Yield: 10 servings

Dish Size: 4-Quart Baker

  

INGREDIENTS

 

  • 24 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 1 3-pound lobster, split
  • ¾ cup butter, divided
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1½ tsp minced garlic
  • 1½ shallots, chopped
  • 15 black peppercorns
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1½ pounds Gruyere cheese
  • 4½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1½ cups Romano cheese
  • ⅓ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • salt & pepper to taste

  

Directions

 

  1. Fill a large pot with lightly-salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in pasta and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta, reserving 3 cups of the water. Rinse pasta under cold water in a colander. Set aside. 
  2. Pour 3 cups of the pasta water back into the pot. Add in lobster halves, cut side up. 
  3. Return water to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low. Steam lobster just until the meat is firm and opaque, about 3 minutes. Remove lobster from pot and set aside to cool. Cut into bite-sized pieces. Keep the shells. 
  4. Melt ¼ cup of the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion and cook for 5-7 minutes or until soft and translucent. Place cooked onions in a small bowl and set aside. 
  5. Add lobster shells, garlic, shallots, peppercorns, and milk into the saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for 20 minutes. Strain through a mesh sieve. Discard everything but the liquid. 
  6. In another saucepan melt remaining ½ cup of butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour until a paste forms, about 5 minutes. Pour in strained milk mixture and continue to whisk over medium-high heat until mixture is thick and smooth, about 10 minutes.
  7. Stir in the Gruyere, cheddar, and Romano cheeses until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
  8. Stir in cooked lobster, onions, and macaroni. Pour into your temp-tations® 4-quart baker. Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs. 
  9. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes or until the top is golden brown.