Lobster Mac and Cheese

Step 1

Set the oven to 375°F and wait until the indicator light or beep tells you it has finished heating, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Fill a large pot two-thirds full with water, add a pinch of salt, and set it over high heat until the water boils rapidly with large rolling bubbles, about 8–10 minutes.

Step 3

Carefully pour the pasta into the boiling water and stir immediately with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking, separating any pieces clumped together.

Step 4

Cook the pasta, stirring once every 2 minutes, until a piece bent between your fingers breaks cleanly without a chalky center (about 2 minutes less than the package says), then drain in a colander and set aside.

Step 5

In a large saucepan, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until it foams and no longer looks solid, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

Sprinkle the 3 tablespoons of flour into the melted butter and stir constantly with a wooden spoon for 1 minute until the mixture looks like wet sand, to cook out the raw flour taste.

Step 7

Slowly pour in the 2.5 cups of milk while whisking constantly to break up any lumps, then continue whisking until the sauce is smooth, about 2 minutes.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring every 30 seconds, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (when you run your finger across it, the line stays put), about 5 minutes.

Step 9

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the 2 cups of shredded cheddar until fully melted and no visible cheese pieces remain, about 2 minutes.

Step 10

Add the cooked pasta and the 1.5 lbs of lobster meat to the cheese sauce, then fold gently with a rubber spatula until the lobster and pasta are evenly coated, about 1 minute.

Step 11

Taste the mixture by eating a small bite, then sprinkle in salt and pepper until it tastes the way you want it—start with a quarter teaspoon of each and add more if needed.

Step 12

Pour the pasta mixture into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, spreading it level with the back of a spoon so the top surface is even.

Step 13

Scatter the 0.5 cup of panko breadcrumbs evenly across the surface of the pasta as a single layer, pressing gently so they stay in place.

Step 14

Place the baking dish in the preheated 375°F oven and bake until the panko is golden brown (the color of honey toast) and the edges bubble gently, about 15 minutes.

Step 15

Remove the dish from the oven using oven mitts and let it rest on the counter for 3 minutes so the filling sets and is easier to serve.