Lobster Mac Cheese Truffle Oil (Printable)

Creamy macaroni enriched with lobster and fragrant truffle oil for a luxurious comfort 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 your 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 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is lightly golden and fragrant.
04 - Gradually whisk in warm milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
05 - Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses until completely melted and smooth. Season with 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. Be careful not to break up the lobster pieces.
07 - Pour the lobster mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
08 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and finely chopped parsley. Mix until crumbs are evenly coated.
09 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to set. Drizzle truffle oil over the top just before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The way three different cheeses create this impossibly creamy sauce that clings to every noodle
  • Lobster turns regular mac and cheese into something that feels like a restaurant treat at home
  • That truffle oil finish is the secret touch that makes people ask what's different
02 -
  • Do not overbake or the cheese sauce can separate and get oily
  • Let the dish rest those 5 minutes or the sauce will be too runny when you scoop it
  • Truffle oil should be drizzled at the end not baked in the oven
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded which has anti caking agents
  • Do not skip the smoked paprika it adds this incredible depth

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