Ina Garten Lobster Mac And Cheese Recipe

This Ina Garten Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe is creamy and decadent, which includes tender lobster meat and a rich Gruyère-cheddar cheese sauce. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 50 minutes.

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Ina Garten Lobster Mac And Cheese Recipe Ingredients

For the Pasta and Lobster:

• 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 pound cooked lobster meat, chopped

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 4 cups whole milk, warmed
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
• 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

For the Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

How To Make Ina Garten Lobster Mac And Cheese Recipe

1. Cook the pasta: Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and toss with 2 tablespoons butter.
2. Make the cheese sauce: In a saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes. Slowly whisk in warm milk until smooth and thickened. Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat and melt in Gruyère and cheddar.
3. Combine pasta and lobster: Toss pasta with cheese sauce in a large bowl, then gently fold in lobster meat.
4. Prepare the topping: Mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan in a small bowl.
5. Assemble and bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer mac and cheese mixture to a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with breadcrumb mixture. Bake 25–30 minutes, until golden and crisp.
6. Serve: Let cool a few minutes before serving warm.

Recipe Tips

• Lobster prep: Use freshly steamed lobster for best flavor, or buy pre-cooked lobster tails for convenience.
• Cheese swap: Fontina or Havarti can replace Gruyère for a milder flavor.
• Make ahead: Assemble and refrigerate (without topping) up to 1 day ahead, then bake before serving.
• Extra creamy tip: Stir in a splash of cream before baking for a richer sauce.
• Breadcrumb crunch: Toast panko in a skillet before topping for extra crispness.

What To Serve With Ina Garten Lobster Mac And Cheese

This rich dish pairs beautifully with:

• Steamed asparagus or green beans
• Caesar salad
• Crusty garlic bread
• Roasted tomatoes

How To Store Ina Garten Lobster Mac And Cheese

Refrigerate: Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze unbaked mac and cheese (without topping) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking.

Ina Garten Lobster Mac And Cheese Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving)

• Calories: 720
• Protein: 36g
• Carbohydrates: 54g
• Fat: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 6g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use frozen lobster meat?
Yes, thaw completely and pat dry before adding.

Can I make this without lobster?
Yes, simply omit the lobster for a classic mac and cheese.

How do I prevent a grainy cheese sauce?
Add cheese off the heat and stir until just melted to avoid curdling.

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Osso Buco Recipe
• Ina Garten Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Recipe
• Ina Garten Herb Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe