Creamy Dreamy Lobster Mac N Cheese Recipe à la Ina Garten

Decadent lobster mac n cheese from Ina Garten brings luxurious comfort to your dinner table.

Rich, creamy pasta meets succulent seafood in this show-stopping dish.

Garten’s touch turns a classic comfort food into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Each forkful promises indulgent flavor combinations that dance across your palate.

Tender lobster meat nestles perfectly between al dente pasta and velvety cheese sauce.

Bold ingredients and expert techniques merge to create a memorable meal that impresses even the most discerning food lovers.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this restaurant-worthy recipe.

Tips for Serving Lobster Mac from Ina’s Menu

• Elevate Your Dining Experience: Serve this luxurious lobster mac and cheese as a stunning main course for an elegant dinner party or special occasion.
• Pair with Crisp Sides: Complement the rich, creamy dish with a light arugula salad or roasted asparagus to balance the decadent flavors and add freshness to the meal.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Enhance the dish with a crisp Chardonnay or a light Pinot Grigio that cuts through the creamy cheese and highlights the delicate lobster meat.
• Garnish with Flair: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or parsley on top just before serving to add a pop of color and a burst of herbal freshness to the dish.

Reheat and Store Ina Garten’s Lobster Mac Safely

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover lobster mac n cheese in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Alternatively, use an oven at 350°F, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Add a splash of milk to restore creamy texture.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Package in freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve flavor and texture.
• Prep in Advance: Assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate unbaked for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, add an extra 5-10 minutes to baking time to ensure it's heated thoroughly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Calories: 727 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients Used in Ina Garten Lobster Mac N Cheese

• Elbow Macaroni: The classic carrier of creamy goodness, choose high-quality pasta with ridges to capture more sauce.
• Olive Oil: Prevents pasta from sticking together and adds a subtle flavor during cooking.

• Whole Milk: Creates a silky, luxurious base for the sauce, ensuring a rich and smooth texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides a golden richness and helps create a smooth roux for the sauce.
• Cheddar Cheese: Delivers a sharp, tangy flavor that brings depth to the mac and cheese.
• Gruyere Cheese: Adds a nutty, complex taste with excellent melting properties.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a velvety consistency.
• Fresh Bread Crumbs: Offers a crispy, golden topping that adds delightful crunch.
• Cooked Lobster: Brings a luxurious seafood twist to the classic mac and cheese.
• Salt: Heightens and balances all the flavors in the dish.
• Black Pepper: Adds a gentle warmth and subtle spiciness.
• Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, aromatic background note that complements the cheese.

Equipment You’ll Need for Lobster Mac N Cheese

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta and making sauce.
• Small saucepan: Perfect for heating milk gently.
• Whisk: Key for smooth sauce preparation and preventing lumps.
• Gratin dishes: Needed for individual servings and baking.
• Colander: Helps drain pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cutting board: Used for any minimal chopping or preparation.
• Sharp knife: Helpful for precise ingredient handling.

How to Cook Ina Garten’s Lobster Mac N Cheese

• Oven Preheating

Warm the oven to a cozy 375 degrees, creating the perfect environment for your cheesy adventure.

• Pasta Preparation

Boil a pot of salted water, adding a splash of oil to prevent sticking. Cook the pasta until it’s tender but still has a bit of bite, then drain completely.

• Creamy Sauce Foundation

Gently heat milk in a small pan while melting butter in a larger pot. Sprinkle in flour and whisk lovingly, creating a smooth base that will transform into a luxurious sauce.

• Cheese Transformation

Remove from heat and mix in a blend of rich Cheddar and nutty Gruyere. Season with a pinch of pepper and a whisper of nutmeg for depth of flavor.

• Seafood and Pasta Fusion

Fold in succulent lobster chunks and the perfectly cooked pasta, ensuring every bite is packed with oceanic goodness.

• Crispy Bread Topping

Toss bread crumbs with melted butter, creating a golden, crunchy crown for your mac and cheese masterpiece.

• Baking Magic

Slide the dishes into the preheated oven, letting the flavors meld and the top turn a gorgeous golden brown. After 30-35 minutes, you’ll have a bubbling, irresistible dish that screams comfort and luxury.

Simple Variations to Try in Lobster Mac N Cheese

• Use high-quality, large pasta shells or elbow macaroni for maximum cheese and lobster coating.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like fontina, sharp white cheddar, or gouda for unique flavor profiles.
• Choose fresh, high-quality lobster meat from claws and tails for the most tender and sweet seafood experience.
• Toast homemade bread crumbs with herbs like thyme or parsley to add extra crunch and aromatic depth to the dish.
• Make the mac and cheese base ahead of time and refrigerate, then add lobster and bake just before serving for stress-free entertaining.

Luxurious Lobster Mac N Cheese Recipe

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4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s lobster mac n cheese elevates classic comfort pasta with luxurious seafood and rich cheeses. Creamy, indulgent flavors blend perfectly for a gourmet meal you’ll savor with delightful anticipation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lb cooked lobster meat
• 1 lb cavatappi or elbow macaroni
• 12 oz (4 cups) Gruyere cheese, grated
• 8 oz (2 cups) extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
• 1 quart milk
• 1 stick (8 tbsps) unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.5 tsp nutmeg
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Vegetable oil, for greasing

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and set up a large pot of salted water for pasta cooking.
2. Pasta Technique: Cook pasta in boiling water with olive oil until al dente, approximately 6-8 minutes, then drain completely in a colander.
3. Sauce Foundation: Warm milk gently in a saucepan while creating a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour until smooth and free of raw flour flavor.
4. Sauce Development: Progressively incorporate heated milk into the roux, whisking continuously until the mixture transforms into a luxurious, velvety consistency.
5. Cheese Integration: Remove sauce from heat and blend Cheddar and Gruyere cheeses, seasoning with ground black pepper, nutmeg, and salt until ingredients harmonize seamlessly.
6. Lobster and Pasta Incorporation: Fold cooked lobster meat and prepared pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring uniform distribution of ingredients.
7. Assembling and Topping: Distribute the mixture evenly across gratin dishes, then combine remaining butter with bread crumbs and sprinkle generously over each portion.
8. Final Baking: Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms and the sauce bubbles enthusiastically, signaling perfect doneness.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a delightful texture in the final dish.
• Roux Mastery: Whisk flour and butter continuously to eliminate raw flour taste and create a smooth, silky sauce base.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent grainy texture and ensure a creamy, luxurious consistency.
• Bread Crumb Brilliance: Toss bread crumbs in melted butter for a golden, crispy topping that adds irresistible crunch to the mac and cheese.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 727
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 847 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 61 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg