Three Cheese Lobster Mac and Cheese With Gruyere, White Cheddar & Parmesan, Topped with a Crunchy, Garlicky Panko

Mac and Cheese is often referred to “a vegetable” in the South and no one dare question that. It is an everyday staple loved by kids and adults alike. Once a down to earth, homey recipe, it has now become a popular item at fancy restaurants, adding lobster, truffle, fancy cheeses and special pastas. The days of Kraft Mac and Cheese and fake, chemical pump cheese are a day of the past. It is quick and easy to make and can be changed up in a million ways. Using a basic roux and adding milk or cream and any variety of cheese with a pinch of nutmeg is the way to go. Use any pasta for variety. I used fusilli today as I like the way the sauce gathers in the swirls. Whether as a fancy starter for a dinner party, a side dish for a potluck or dressed up with BBQ chicken for a football tailgate party, Mac and Cheese remains the ultimate comfort food.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Pasta Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes

Serves: 4 for dinner, 6 for side dish

Ingredients:

1 16 oz box dried pasta

3 Tbs butter

2 Tbs flour

¼ tsp nutmeg

½ tsp salt

¾ cup shredded Gruyere (about 3.5 oz)

¾ shredded mild white Cheddar Cheese (about 3/5 oz)

¾ cup Parmesan

2 cooked lobsters, chopped

Topping:

¼ cup plain Panko bread crumbs

2 Tbs butter, softened or melted

½ garlic salt

1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

Heat the milk in the microwave or stovetop. In a large fry pan, melt the butter. Stir in the 2 Tbs flour and whisk for just 1 minute. Do not brown. This is your roux and is the basis for many sauces depending on what you add next. Add the warmed milk. Whisk so that lumps do not form. In a minute or two, the sauce should thicken. Add the salt and nutmeg. Add the 3 cheeses. Stir well. Remove from heat.

Cook your pasta. Drain the pasta.

Add the pasta to the pan and stir. Place in an ovenproof serving dish. Top with lobster.

Mix the topping ingredients in a small bowl. Place over top of dish. Place under the broiler 2-4 minutes. Watch so it does not burn.

Serve