Indulge in the exquisite harmony of flavors found in Lobster Mac and Cheese, where culinary decadence meets comfort food bliss. Picture a symphony of textures and tastes, meticulously crafted to create a truly unforgettable dish. Infused with the irresistible allure of bacon this dish is sure to take you on a gastronomic adventure.

Succulent chunks of tender, buttery lobster are nestled amidst a velvety sea of creamy, artisanal cheese sauce; white cheddar, gruyere, and fontina to be exact. The lobster, with its delicate sweetness, provides a delightful contrast to the rich, savory notes of the cheese. Every bite is a harmonious balance of lusciousness and refinement.

The smoky undertones of the bacon meld effortlessly with the lobster and cheese, adding an irresistible depth and complexity to the dish. Topped with bacon breadcrumbs and gently baked until golden brown, the Lobster Mac and Cheese emerges from the oven with a tantalizing aroma that invites you to experience its opulence.

This sophisticated twist on a classic comfort dish is a culinary masterpiece, perfectly showcasing the union of premium ingredients and comfort classics. And, although lobster isn’t cheap by any stretch of the definition, making this dish at home instead of at a fancy restaurant will save you quite a bit of dough. So, next time you’re in the mood for an indulgence or looking to treat someone special to a nice dinner, consider making Lobster and Mac and Cheese.

Any type of lobster would work fine in this dish. Maine lobster is the most renowned variety, but depending on your location and availability, it may not be the easiest to find. Spiny lobsters are found throughout the Caribbean and most famously, the Florida Keys. The warm water adaptations create a slightly less sweet meat, but at the end of the day, lobster is lobster. I’ve been wanting to make Lobster Mac and Cheese for a while, and when I saw live Canadian lobster available at my local market over the past weekend, and I didn’t think twice about getting a couple. Technically, Canadian lobster and Maine lobster are the same species. However, the geographical differences do present differences in size and color, so it’s important to distinguish the two.

What is Canadian Lobster?

Canadian lobster refers to lobsters harvested from the waters off the eastern coast of Canada, particularly in the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. It is sought after both domestically and internationally. It is exported to markets worldwide, where it is highly valued for its premium quality seafood. Canadian Lobster is considered a delicacy and a symbol of Atlantic Canadian cuisine.

Because Canadian lobster survive in colder waters than Maine lobster, they have thicker shells. This leads to a slightly tougher texture and less sweet taste as compared to their Maine counterparts. Canadian lobster can survive longer during transport and are generally considerably cheaper, so if presented between the two options, Canadian lobster is a fantastic choice.

Lobster Mac and Cheese

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: MainsCuisine: Canadian, AmericanDifficulty: Medium

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

hour

minutes

Indulge in the exquisite harmony of flavors found in Lobster Mac and Cheese, where culinary decadence meets comfort food bliss.

Ingredients

2 whole lobsters (approximately 1 pound each)
16 ounces tubular pasta noodles (like cavatappi)
8 ounces bacon, roughly chopped
1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup gruyere cheese, grated
1 cup fontina cheese, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 whole shallot, minced
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional)

Equipment

Deep Skillet Get one here
Food ProcessorGet one here
WhiskGet one here

Directions

Fill a large pot with enough water to submerge the lobsters. Add 2 tablespoons of salt and bring to a boil. Carefully place the whole lobster in the boiling water and cover with a lid. Cook for 10-12 minutes. The general rule of thumb is to cook 10 minutes per pound. Remove and allow to cool before handling. Use a lobster cracker and a small fork or your hands to extract the meat from the claws, tail, and other parts.

You should have approximately 2 cups of lobster meat.
Prepare the pasta al dente per its package’s instructions. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350°.
Heat a deep skillet or pot – I used a dutch oven – over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until the fat has rendered down and the bacon is dark and nearly crispy, 7-8 minutes. Remove the bacon using a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered bacon fat behind.
Add the garlic, shallot, and 1/4 cup of butter to your skillet or pot. Stir together and allow the butter to melt for about 1 minute. Be careful not to let any ingredients burn. (If the bacon has left too much browning behind, you can transfer the bacon fat to a new skillet or pot to continue the cooking process.)
Whisk in the flour, salt, and ground black pepper. The mixture should be very thick and lumpy. That’s okay. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little bit at a time. The mixture should get smoother as you add the milk. Once the milk is incorporated, whisk in the cheese. Continue whisking until the cheese melts and the texture of the mixture is homogenous.
Add the breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of butter, and bacon to a food processor. Pulse until the texture is thin and fine.
Add the al dente pasta noodles and lobster meat to the cheese mixture. Stir until everything is combined. If you need to, transfer the mixture back to the deep, oven-safe, skillet. Top with the bacon-breadcrumbs and transfer to the oven.
Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350°.
(Optional) Top with fresh parsley and allow to cool 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!