Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Gruyère and Breadcrumb Topping

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-15 · Updated 2026-07-15

A decadent seafood twist on classic comfort food featuring tender lobster chunks enveloped in a creamy Gruyère cheese sauce topped with crisp golden breadcrumbs. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 1 cup cooked lobster meat, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden and bubbly.
3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until melted and smooth.
5. Step 5: Fold in the cooked macaroni and 1 cup chopped cooked lobster meat until evenly coated.
6. Step 6: Preheat the broiler. Pour macaroni mixture into a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish.
7. Step 7: In a small bowl, toss 1 cup panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni.
8. Step 8: Broil for 3-5 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.