Skillet Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe

Savory lobster mac and cheese made with fresh lobster, sharp cheddar cheeses, and topped with crunchy croutons.

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Skillet Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe

Can we all agree that skillet lobster mac and cheese is the epitome of classy comfort food?

Lobster mac and cheese is the perfect way to eat leftover lobster (if there ever is any). Sometimes Patty and I will steam an extra lobster on the lobster night and peel it and freeze it for later use. Also, frozen lobster tails work phenomenally and are easy to manage/steam without a big mess.

How to Steam Lobster Tails

Frozen or fresh lobster tails are convenient and usually readily available at the seafood counter. To steam, fill a medium-sized lidded pot with 1 inch of water and bring to a boil. Add the lobster tails, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Here is another article on steaming full lobster. Crack or cut the shells open with kitchen sheers and chop the lobster into bite-sized chunks. Always thaw before steaming!

Best Cheese for Lobster Mac and Cheese

The cheese is very important. I use mainly sharp white cheddar cheese, plus a smoother fontina or gruyere to balance out the flavor and creaminess. Look for Cabot brand cheddar cheese—those are my favorite.

  • 8 ounces Cabot Seriously Sharp
  • 8 ounces Cabot Vermont Sharp
  • 4 ounces BelGioioso Fontina

Maybe it’s just me, but the sharp cheddar cheeses give homemade mac and cheese a gourmet feel and taste.

How to Make a Roux

This is technically the “trickiest” part of the recipe and the most important step to get right. A roux is a thickening agent consisting of melted butter and flour. It helps the cheese sauce yield a creamier texture. I prepare the roux and cheese sauce all in a single cast-iron skillet for easy baking later. A roux serves as the cheese sauce’s base, it’s what holds the entire cheese sauce together.

  1. Start by melting butter in a skillet on medium heat and slowly whisk in flour until a creamy, paste forms. The roux will take about a minute and will take on a very slight brownish hue. The key is to constantly whisk to prevent burning.
  2. Slowly add the warm milk, whisking constantly until thickened sauce forms and just starts to bubble. It will resemble very creamy mashed potatoes at one point, and then gradually thin to a creamy sauce, perfect for aiding in the melting of cheese.

Shredded Cheese Melts in Seconds

Once the roux has formed, it’s all about the cheese. Shredded cheese melts incredibly fast in the roux. Cubed cheese takes longer and runs the risk of overcooking or improperly melting. Take the extra time to shred the cheese. You’ll thank yourself later.

We can add the lobster and cooked elbows right into the sauce and bake in the oven topped with crushed croutons. It’s the best lobster mac and cheese recipe ever and it’s so easy to make.

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Skillet Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe
Skillet Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe
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Skillet Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Shawn Williams
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

Skillet lobster mac and cheese made with sharp cheddar cheese, fontina cheese, and fresh lobster. Topped with garlicky croutons and baked for the perfect golden finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups elbow macaroni
  • 3 lobster tails, fully cooked and chopped (about 1–2 cups lobster)
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups warm milk
  • 8 ounces, Cabot Seriously Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 8 ounces, Vermont Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (or mild cheddar)
  • 4 ounces, fontina or gruyere cheese, shredded 
  • 2 cup whole croutons, crushed (I like garlic butter)

Instructions

Steaming lobster

  1. To steam lobster, fill a medium-sized lidded pot with 1 inch of water and bring to a boil. Add the lobster tails, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Here is another post on steaming full lobster. Crack or cut the shells open with kitchen sheers and chop into bite-sized chunks. Always thaw lobster before steaming!

Mac and Cheese

  1. Preheat oven to 375 °F.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbows until al dente. Strain and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, spray a cast iron skillet liberally with cooking spray. Melt butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly until incorporated and roux has formed, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Slowly whisk in warm milk, one cup at a time, whisking out any lumps if they form. Heat until sauce just starts to bubble in the center. It helps to whisk constantly during this process.
  5. Reserve 1/2 cup of cheese in a small bowl for step 6. Add half of the remaining cheese to the skillet, whisk until nearly all is melted and creamy. Add the other remaining half and whisk until smooth and creamy.
  6. Stir in cooked elbows and lobster until evenly distributed. Evenly top with a layer of the reserved 1/2 cup of cheese and then crushed croutons.
  7. Bake for 10 minutes or until croutons are golden. Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe calls for roughly 20 ounces of cheese. Your typical block of cheese is 8 ounces. You want roughly 4 cups of shredded cheese, lightly packed (a little extra is always OK).

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 808
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 1169mg
  • Fat: 46.1g
  • Saturated Fat: 27.2g
  • Carbohydrates: 51.4g
  • Fiber: 2.2g
  • Protein: 44.4g
  • Cholesterol: 204mg

Keywords: lobster mac and cheese recipe