Lobster Macaroni and Cheese

With Valentine's Day coming up around the corner, what could impress your honey more than Lobster Macaroni and Cheese? You could serve this along with a steak and have a fancy "Surf N' Turf" for your special dinner!

I've gotta say, this Macaroni and Cheese is divine. It's got the kick from the cayenne, but it has the wonderful surprise of lobster chunks hidden within cheesy macaroni!
Oh man, this is a treat!

Here's what you're gonna need for 4 servings:
-1/2 lb Penne Pasta
-2 tbsp Butter
-1 Shallot finely minced
-1 clove of minced Garlic
-Salt & Pepper to taste
-1 tbsp Tomato Paste
-2-1/2 tbsp Flour
-1/8 cup White Cooking Wine
-2 cups Heavy Cream
-1/4 tsp Paprika
-1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
-1 Bay Leaf
-1/2 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
-1/2 cup shredded Gruyere
-Meat from 1 Lobster Tail
-1/4 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
-2 tbsp dried Parsley

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare the penne pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside.
In a dutch oven, melt 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat and add the minced shallots and garlic. Saute until softened and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add 1 tbsp of tomato paste and 2-1/2 tbsp Flour. Stir to toast the roux for 1-2 minutes. Add the 1/8 cup of white wine and let it reduce for 1-2 minutes.

Pour in the 2 cups of heavy cream and whisk the sauce continuously to remove the lumps.

Add in the paprika, cayenne pepper and bay leaf.

Bring the sauce to a simmer and then reduce the heat to low. Allow the sauce to thicken for 5-10 minutes until the sauce coats the spoon. Remove the bay leaf.

Stir in the Gruyere and cheddar cheese slowly by the handfuls while continuously stirring.

Now take you lobster tail....kinda freaky looking!

Use kitchen shears to cut the ribs of the tail to release the meat.

Chop it up into tiny pieces...

And add it to the sauce and stir well.

Also, add in the 1/2 lb of penne pasta and stir well to combine. Correct seasonings with salt and pepper.

Pour your lobster macaroni and cheese into a greased 8x8 baking dish and top with panko bread crumbs and parsley.

Bake for 25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Then remove the baking dish from the oven and let the macaroni dish set for 10 minutes before serving.

Present this Lobster Macaroni and Cheese to your loved one and you will get extra kisses on Valentine's Day!

Print Recipe Here!
Adapted from The Neeleys