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A creamy, cheesy stovetop mac and cheese featuring tender precooked lobster chunks and a blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and Swiss cheeses. Ready in under 40 minutes and serves about four.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cavatappi noodles or your favorite short pasta
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic puree or 12 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 7 ounces precooked lobster chunks, thawed if frozen
  • 1/3 cup fresh chives, chopped
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar blend
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Instructions

  1. Thaw frozen precooked lobster completely and pat dry.
  2. Chop fresh chives.
  3. Cook cavatappi according to package instructions until al dente; drain, reserve a little pasta water, rinse with warm water, and set aside.
  4. Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat.
  5. Add garlic puree or minced garlic and cook about 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Sprinkle in flour and stir into the butter; cook 1-2 minutes until light golden.
  7. Slowly whisk in milk, stir in onion powder, salt, and pepper, and bring to a gentle boil while whisking to prevent lumps.
  8. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to coat, thinning with reserved pasta water if needed.
  9. Stir in lobster chunks and chopped chives and simmer about 3 minutes to warm the lobster through.
  10. Lower heat to low and slowly add the mozzarella/cheddar blend and Swiss cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  11. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Notes

If using frozen lobster, thaw completely and pat dry to avoid watering down the sauce., Save a little pasta water when draining to thin sauce if it becomes too thick., Cook roux just until lightly browned for a nutty flavor without bitterness., Add cheese on low heat and stir continuously to avoid grainy sauce; high heat can ruin texture., Thin sauce with warm milk or reserved pasta water if necessary., For a crunchy topping, toss panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, sprinkle on top, and broil briefly after transferring to an oven-safe dish., Cheese substitutions: Gruyère or fontina can replace Swiss for nuttier flavor., Spice variations include cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or Old Bay seasoning., Seafood substitutions: cooked shrimp or crab can replace lobster., Brighten flavor with lemon zest or fresh lemon juice before serving., Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days., Freezing is possible but not ideal; thaw overnight before reheating., Reheat gently on low heat on stove with added milk or in oven at 325°F (160°C), uncovering briefly to crisp topping.

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