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Lobster Mac and Cheese

Lobster Mac and Cheese is the ultimate indulgent comfort food, perfect for special occasions, holidays, and elegant dinners at home. Tender chunks of sweet lobster are folded into a rich, creamy homemade cheese sauce that’s perfectly seasoned and irresistibly smooth. This elevated mac and cheese recipe transforms a classic favorite into a restaurant-quality entrée that’s impressive enough for guests yet comforting enough to savor every bite.

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The Best Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe

The seafood lovers in my life are always excited to enjoy a fresh twist on their favorite dishes. From classic jumbo lump crab cakes and downhome salmon patties to a Low Country slow cooker shrimp boil or a creamy crab salad, there’s no shortage of delicious ways to celebrate seafood. Each recipe highlights the flavors we love most, and with so many seasonal options, there’s always the perfect time of year to bring these seafood favorites to the table.

This Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe is a show-stopper that feels right at home on the table for special occasions and holiday celebrations. Rich, creamy, and indulgent, it’s the kind of recipe you bring out when you want to impress guests without straying too far from comfort-food territory. The combination of tender lobster and a luxuriously smooth cheese sauce elevates classic mac and cheese into something worthy of Christmas dinner, New Year’s Eve gatherings, Valentine’s Day, or an elegant dinner party with friends. Whether served as a decadent main course or a memorable side dish alongside a festive spread, lobster mac and cheese adds a sense of celebration and indulgence that makes any holiday meal feel extra special.

Checkout this quick list of key ingredients you’ll need to make simple Lobster Mac and Cheese: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

  • Pasta – Cavatappi pasta or twisted macaroni elevates the macaroni in thuis dish.
  • Lobster – One pound lobster meat gives this mac and cheese its signature flavor.
  • Flour – All purpose flour to make the roux for the cheese sauce.
  • Butter – Salted butter or unsalted butter for rich flavor.
  • Spices – Seafood seasoning, granulated garlic, salt, black pepper, nutmeg.
  • Cream Cheese – Chive and onion cream cheese gives the cheese sauce a creamy texture.
  • Liquid – Whole milk to thin the sauce.
  • Cheese – Shredded monterey jack cheese and shredded sharp cheddar cheese for the melty cheese sauce.
  • Breadcrumb Topping – Butter, Panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, seafood seasoning and chopped parsley for garnishing.

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How to Make the Best Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe

This lobster macaroni and cheese is a tasty way to add lobster to the menu. While lobster may be a bit of a pricey choice when served alone as an entrée, this mac and cheese stretches it into a generous amount of servings for a group. It does double duty, as it’s also delicious paired with your favorite cut of beef for a fresh take on surf and turf.

  • Heat Oven and Prepare Dish – Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Boil Pasta – Cook the pasta in salted water per the package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  • Lobster – Add the cooked pasta and lobster meat to a large mixing bowl.
  • Make the Cheese Sauce – Over medium heat, melt butter in a pot. Add the flour, seafood seasoning, garlic, salt, black pepper and nutmeg. Mix until the flour has been absorbed then whisk in the milk. Simmer until thickened.
  • Add Cream Cheese and Shredded Cheese – Add cream cheese and shredded cheese to the sauce. Stir until melted.
  • Add Sauce to Pasta and Lobster – Pour cheese sauce over cavatappi and lobster, and mix until fully coated and the lobster is evenly distributed.
  • Assemble – Layer per the recipe pouring 1/2 macaroni mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Repeat ending with shredded cheese.
  • Make Crumb Topping – Sprinkle on top.
  • Oven – Bake per the recipe until the top is golden brown and and the edges are bubbly.
  • Serve – Garnish with chopped parsley just before serving.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Lobster Macaroni and Cheese

  • Large pot or pasta cooker.
  • Colander.
  • Cheese Grater.
  • Medium pot to make the sauce.
  • Large bowl.
  • Chopping board and knife.
  • Measuring cups and spoons.
  • 13×9-inch casserole dish.
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Recipe Variations Tips and Substitutions

  • Best Seafood Seasoning – The seafood seasoning is a crucial part of the overall flavor of this dish. Use your favorite to season the sauce. You can use Old Bay seasoning, or any that you enjoy. I used Seafood Magic. (affiliate)
  • Lobster – You could adapt this recipe using jumbo lump crab meat.
  • Salt – Different seafood seasoning blends contain varying amounts of sodium. Adjust the amount of salt to your taste based on the brand you’re using.
  • Cheese – You could adapt the type of cheese used. Gruyere cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, an Italian blend of cheese and Asiago cheese also work well in this dish.
  • Breadcrumbs – You could use Ritz crackers, or club crackers for the topping.
  • Fresh Herbs – You could garnish the top with fresh thyme or fresh chives.
  • How to Make Lobster Tail – If you’re feeling adventurous and want to make your own lobster tails you can. Lobster can be boiled, steamed, baked or grilled them. You can even smoke them. The easiest way to prepare them for this recipe is to boil them then you’ll be sure to be able to easily remove the lobster from the shell. Once cooked, remove the lobster from the shell, cool and chop for this recipe. See the Cook’s notes in the recipe card for full instructions.

Storage and Leftovers

  • Make-Ahead Tip – You can fully assemble this lobster mac and cheese one day in advance, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator. Allow it to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes prior to baking per the recipe until golden and bubbly.
  • Leftovers – Store leftover lobster mac and cheese covered with plastic wrap, foil or in an airtight contiener chilled in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Reheating – Reheat gently in single servings in the microwave.
  • Freezer – You can freeze leftovers for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

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Southern Side Dishes to Serve with Macaroni and Cheese

As I mentioned earlier, this dish can be enjoyed as an entrée or a side dish, it’s completely up to you. Some entrées and accompaniment recipe you may like to try:

best-lobster-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe

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Lobster Mac and Cheese

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: lobster-mac-and-cheese, lobster-macaroni-and-cheese, macaroni-and-cheese-recipes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 656kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cavatappi pasta
  • 1 lb cooked lobster meat, cut into large chunks. (If frozen, thawed)
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp seafood seasoning i.e. Old Bay or Seafood Magic
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper adjust to taste
  • 1 dash ground nutmeg
  • 2 oz chive and onion cream cheese softened
  • 5 cups whole milk
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
  • Breadcrumb Topping:
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp seafood seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Cook the pasta in salted water per the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  • Add the cooked pasta and lobster meat to a large mixing bowl. Set aside while you make the sauce.
  • Sauce: In a medium-size heavy bottomed saucepan melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat.
  • To the melted butter add the flour, seafood seasoning, garlic, salt, black pepper and nutmeg. Mix until the flour has been absorbed by the butter stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk. Whisk constantly to prevent clumping.
  • Bring the milk to a boil then immediately lower the heat to low. Simmer for 3-5 minutes gently bubbling stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. (You can add additional 1/2 cup milk if needed to thin.)
  • Turn off the heat. Add cream cheese to the sauce. Stir until melted.
  • Toss together cheddar and monterey jack. Add 3 cups to sauce. Remove pot from the heat, stirring until melted. Pour cheese sauce over cavatappi and lobster, and mix until fully coated and the lobster is evenly distributed.
  • Pour 1/2 macaroni into prepared pan. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheese. Repeat with macaroni then top with the final 1 cup shredded cheese.
  • Topping: Melt the remaining 2 Tbsp of butter in a small microwave safe bowl. Mix with panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 tsp seafood seasoning. (Add more or less to your taste) Sprinkle on top.
  • Place into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden and and the edges are bubbly.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley just before serving.
  • How to Make Lobster Tails:
    Thaw frozen lobster tails and skewer them through the middle to prevent them from curling.
    Bring a large deep soup pot of water to a rolling boil. Season with 2-3 tablespoons sea salt.
    Add 2 tablespoons butter per lobster tail. Lower heat to medium-high and drop the tails into the water. 
    Boil for 4-6 minutes depending on the size. (A 6 ounce lobster tail will take around 4-5 minutes) Test to be sure they're done, if they need more time simply drop them back into the boiling water.
    Once cooked, immediately submerge in ice water to stop cooking. Remove from the shell for this mac and cheese recipe or serve with melted butter and lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

  • Pasta – You can use twisted macaroni, classic elbow macaroni or a similar size pasta for this macaroni and cheese. 
  • Best Seafood Seasoning – The seafood seasoning is a crucial part of the overall flavor of this dish. Use your favorite to season the sauce. You can use Old Bay seasoning, or any that you enjoy. I used Seafood Magic. (affiliate)
  • Lobster – You could adapt this recipe using jumbo lump crab meat.
  • Salt – Different seafood seasoning blends contain varying amounts of sodium. Adjust the amount of salt to your taste based on the brand you’re using.
  • Cheese – You could adapt the type of cheese used. Gruyere cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, an Italian blend of cheese and Asiago cheese also work well in this dish.
  • Breadcrumbs – You could use Ritz crackers, or club crackers for the topping.
  • Fresh Herbs – You could garnish the top with fresh thyme or fresh chives.
  • How to Make Lobster Tail – If you’re feeling adventurous and want to make your own lobster tails you can. Lobster can be boiled, steamed, baked or grilled. The easiest way to prepare them for this recipe is to boil them, then you’ll be able to easily remove the lobster from the shell. Once cooked, remove the lobster from the shell, cool and chop for this recipe. See the Cook’s notes in the recipe card for full instructions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 656kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 841mg | Potassium: 431mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1172IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 631mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

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