Lobster Mac and Cheese with Bacon Bread Crumbs
Creamy cheesy macaroni and cheese with lobster meat, and topped with bacon bread crumbs.
Servings 10 servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups cavatappi macaroni pasta
- 1 lb cooked lobster meat
Bacon Breadcrumbs:
- 1/4 lb hickory bacon reserve 2 tbsp of bacon fat after cooking!
- 2/3 cup of Italian bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp butter salted
Homemade Cheese Sauce:
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 2 cups half & half
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup muenster cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup smoked gouda cheese shredded
- 1 1/2 sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 1/2 monterey jack cheese shredded
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 3 tbsp salted butter
Seasonings & Garnish:
- Salt & Pepper for taste
- Fresh parley chopped (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook Bacon for the Breadcrumb Topping
- Cook the bacon until it's nice and crisp.
Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce
- Once the bacon is done, grab out 2 tbsp of the rendered fat, and toss it in a pan with 3 tbsp of butter. Your pan should be over medium heat.
- Once the bacon fat and butter start to sizzle, sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and whisk.
- Next, pour in the half and half, and evaporated milk.
- Now let’s add in the sour cream, and whisk the ingredients.
- Toss in the shredded or cubed smoked gouda & muenster and stir. Whisk until the cheese is melted throughout.
- Now reduce the heat to low.
- Taste the sauce, and add salt, pepper, and additional seasonings of choice to taste.
- Step 3: Cook the Pasta
- Now prepare your pasta. Simply follow the directions on the back of the package or box.
- Once the pasta is done, drain it, then immediately add in the pan with the sauce.
- Stir until everything is combined, and let cook for about 5-7 minutes over low heat.
Step 4: Make the Bacon Breadcrumb Topping
- Meanwhile, toss the cooked bacon, bread crumbs, and 2 tbsp of butter into a food processor.
- Pulse, until the bacon & crumbs resemble sand.
Step 5: Assemble & Bake the Lobster Mac and Cheese
- Return back to the pan of mac and cheese, and toss in the lobster, and 2 tbsp of the bacon bread crumbs.
- Mix everything until it’s combined.
- Preheat your oven to 350 F.
- Combine the monterey & cheddar cheeses.
- Butter a 9x13 bake dish, and pour half of your lobster mac and cheese into the bake dish.
- Sprinkle the 1 1/2 cups of monterey jack & sharp cheddar cheese on top of the macaroni and cheese.
- Pour the remaining mac and cheese in the bake dish, and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Sprinkle 1/4 -1/2 cup of the bacon bread crumbs on top of the mac and cheese.
- Leave uncovered, and bake for 20-25 minutes OR until the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
- *optional* Sprinkle fresh parsley on top of the lobster macaroni and cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!