Description
Barefoot Contessa’s lobster mac and cheese elevates classic comfort pasta with luxurious seafood. Creamy cheese sauce and tender chunks of lobster create a rich, indulgent dish that will delight you at first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) cooked lobster meat
- 12 oz (340 g) Gruyere cheese, grated
- 8 oz (225 g) extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 lb (454 g) cavatappi or elbow macaroni
- 1 quart (946 ml) milk
- 8 tbsps (113 g) unsalted butter, divided
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (75 g) fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Kosher salt
- Vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preparation: Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat to 375°F (190°C). Boil salted water with a splash of oil, cook pasta until al dente, then drain completely.
- Cheese Sauce Creation: Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed pot, whisk in flour to create a smooth roux. Gradually incorporate warm milk, stirring continuously until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and blend in Gruyere, Cheddar, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until cheese melts smoothly.
- Lobster Integration: Fold cooked pasta and lobster meat into the velvety cheese sauce, ensuring thorough and even coating of each component.
- Assembly and Topping: Transfer the creamy mixture into gratin dishes or a large baking dish. Melt remaining butter and combine with bread crumbs, then generously sprinkle the buttery mixture across the surface.
- Baking Finale: Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Look for enthusiastic bubbling and a golden-brown crisp topping as indicators of perfect doneness. Allow to rest briefly before serving for optimal texture and flavor melding.
Notes
- Pasta Precision: Cook macaroni just until al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain perfect bite in the final dish.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent breaking and ensure smooth, creamy consistency.
- Breadcrumb Brilliance: Toast breadcrumbs in butter for maximum flavor and extra crunch that elevates the entire mac and cheese experience.
- Temperature Control: Use low, steady heat when making the roux and cheese sauce to prevent scorching and create silky smooth texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 27 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg