Ultimate Lobster & Shrimp Mac and Cheese

by

🧀🦞🍤 Ultimate Lobster & Shrimp Mac and Cheese

Rich • Creamy • Cheesy • Comfort Heaven

⏱ Total Time: 35–40 minutes

👥 Serves: 6

⭐ Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

🌟 Ingredients

Pasta

  • 450 g (1 lb) elbow macaroni or cavatappi
  • Salt for the water

Seafood

  • 1 cup cooked lobster meat, chopped
  • 1 cup shrimp (small or medium), peeled & deveined
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Pinch of salt + pepper
  • 1 tsp lemon juice (optional but brightens flavor)

Cheese Sauce

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk (or 2 cups milk + 1 cup cream for extra richness)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded (or Swiss)
  • 1 cup mozzarella or Monterey Jack (optional for stretch)
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Crispy Topping (optional but amazing)

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan

🥣 Instructions

1. Cook the pasta

  1. Boil in salted water until al dente.
  2. Drain and set aside.

2. Cook the seafood

  1. In a skillet, heat butter + olive oil.
  2. Add shrimp, garlic, salt, pepper, and sauté 2–3 minutes until pink.
  3. Add the chopped lobster just to warm through.
  4. Squeeze a little lemon juice.
  5. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Make the creamy cheese sauce

  1. In a pot, melt 4 tbsp butter.
  2. Whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute to remove raw taste.
  3. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until thickened (3–4 minutes).
  4. Reduce heat to low and add cheddar, Gruyère, and mozzarella, stirring until smooth.
  5. Season with smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

4. Combine everything

  1. Add the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
  2. Fold in the lobster and shrimp.

5. Add the topping (optional)

  1. Mix panko, melted butter, and Parmesan.
  2. Sprinkle over the top of the mac.

6. Bake (optional, for a golden crust)

  1. Transfer to a baking dish.
  2. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes, until bubbling and golden.
  • You can skip baking if you prefer it purely creamy!

🍽 7. Serve

Hot, creamy, packed with seafood and dripping with cheese.
Finish with a sprinkle of parsley or Old Bay seasoning for extra flavor.

⭐ Tips & Variations

  • More seafood: Add scallops, crab, or crawfish.
  • Extra rich: Add ½ cup cream cheese to the sauce.
  • Spicy version: Add Cajun seasoning or chili flakes.
  • Smoky version: Use smoked cheddar + smoked paprika.
  • Luxury version: Drizzle truffle oil before serving.

Leave a Comment