Copycat Ruth's Chris Lobster Mac and Cheese

Sweet lobster, creamy cheese and a crunchy panko topping come together to make the BEST Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe! Perfect for any elegant or casual meal!

Who doesn't love mac and cheese? The variations are endless and it is the ultimate comfort food.

But after you've visited Ruth's Chris or Capital Grille and had a sizzling plate of Lobster Mac and Cheese, it is hard to go back to the simple stuff. But no worries, you can make your own award winning mac and cheese at home!

I can 100% guarantee you it will be flowing with way more lobster and will certainly taste better.

Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe

Let's start off by saying that I am not digging in on my favorite steakhouses. I love them. And for many things, they are delicious, but not when it comes to the lobster mac.

It tastes great, but it almost always only comes with the tiniest 4-5 little lumps of lobster and that is all. When you factor in cost, it makes sense, actually. Lobster is quite pricey. But you can make your own at home and have total control over the lobster factor.

I also don't use too many additional spices or herbs. When you are paying that much for lobster why in the world would you over it up with a laundry list of garlic, onion and paprika? Just use a simple cheese that complements the flavors instead of covers them up.

I do add a little pizzazz in the crunchy panko topping, but that it all.

How Do you Make Lobster Mac and Cheese?

I like to think of it in three parts and then the grand finale. None of the steps are particularly hard, but they do take time. No bones about it, this recipe does have some hands-on time, but it is totally worth it.

1. Cook and chop the lobster.
2. Make the mac and cheese.
3. Make the crunchy topping.
4. Bake it all together.

Cooking The Lobster

You have several options for your lobster mac and cheese recipe. Tails or whole lobster are the two main choices. Cold water lobsters (Maine lobster) are often more sweet than warm water (spiny lobster or Caribbean Lobster).

Lobster Tails– This is the simplest and least messy option.

You can grab some frozen lobster tails which is usually smaller and little less expensive. Let them thaw complete and then split out the meat, baking at 450 degrees for about 10-12 minutes (this depends on the size). The meat will be a pearly opaque, remove and roughly chop.

Fresh tails work the same way, but might be more expensive.

Whole Lobster– This lobster mac and cheese option can be less expensive, but will certainly require more work. They are less per pound and now you'll have tail and claw meat to work with and potentially some backfin. Either way, you are going to have to get the lobster meat out.

You can steam the lobster yourself or have the meat counter (or seafood monger) do it for you.

You can also use frozen langostinos. The term is Spanish for "tiny lobster" but they are actually not the same thing. They taste similar enough and even have a red tint to the meat. You can get it for much less money and already cooked, saving you time.

Seafood Mac and Cheese

The last option, if lobster is breaking the bank, is to use a combination of seafood.

Scallops shrimp, crab and other shellfish are often your best bets. Whatever you use, make sure it is fully cooked before adding it to the mix.

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Homemade mac and cheese takes only 5 minutes more than a box and is so much more respectable. You can pick your cheese and have sense of accomplishment when you look at the dish.

For my lobster mac and cheese, I make the pasta, which is always one with nooks and crannies to grab the sauce. Then I make a basic roux (butter and flour base), add milk and finally seasonings and freshly grated cheese.

PRO TIP: use freshly grated cheese, pre shredded cheese is coated with potato starch when makes it dry and gives it a mealy texture.

You can use any combo of cheeses you like. I love using Gouda. It is the perfect mild and melty cheese. For this recipe, I used a smoked gouda and swiss combo. I find that white sauces look best with seafood.

You can totally use cheddar cheese if your family prefers it. Or even a mixture of cheddar with Gouda and Swiss. It is the total amount that is important, not necessarily the quantities of each.

Crunchy Topping

One of the things that makes a baked mac and cheese spectacular compared to a saucepan only version is the crunchy topping. And this is where I add the majority of seasoning.

It takes a few extra minutes, but they are SO worth it. Brown your panko bread crumbs in olive oil and then season with smoked paprika, pepper and salt. It is simple, but totally brings out all the flavors.

Baked Mac and Cheese

Now you bake it all together in a casserole dish.

You can top it with scallions, parsley or chives. Even a drizzle of truffle oil will complement it well. Serve it immediately and hot!

Make Ahead & Storage

You can make all of the elements of lobster mac and cheese and crunchy topping ahead of time and then bake it last. Alternately, you can bake it all and then reheat it.

But anything with dairy has the potential to curdle and seperate a little when reheated. Pasta can also absorb the cheese sauce, so it might not be as cheesy as it was the first time.

You can store this in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.

I don't recommend freezing this recipe, the thawed result is just not as good as the original.

More Mac and Cheese Recipes:

• Truffle Mac and Cheese
• Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
• Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Sriracha Gouda Mac and Cheese

Sriracha Gouda Mac and Cheese is a creamy homemade mac and cheese recipe that uses gooey gouda with spicy Sriracha and a fresh crunch for texture.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

The healthier twist on mac and cheese! This Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese is made with lots of good-for-you stuff and ready in just 30 minutes!

Slow Cooker Jalapeno Mac and Cheese

Slow Cooker Jalapeno Bacon Mac and Cheese is the BEST mac and cheese recipe made in the slow cooker with gouda, cheddar bacon and jalapenos!

More lobster recipes

• Stuffed Whole Lobster
• Cold Lobster Rolls
• Hot Lobster Rolls
• How to Steam a Lobster
• Cold Lobster Salad

BEST Lobster Recipes

Lobster Mac and Cheese

Sweet lobster, creamy cheese & a crunchy panko topping come together to make the BEST Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe! Perfect for any elegant or casual meal!

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: lobster mac and cheese, oven baked mac and cheese

Servings: 8

Calories: 474 kcal

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Lobster Mac and Cheese:

• 1 pound elbow pasta , cooked according to box al dente
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup Swiss cheese , shredded
• 1/2 cup aged gouda , shredded
• 2 tablespoons chives , chopped
• 2 cups lobster , cooked and roughly chopped
• kosher salt & freshly ground pepper

Make the Topping:

• In a small skillet, heat olive oil and add panko bread crumbs, Kosher salt, pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder.

• Heat and brown for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.

• Remove from heat and set aside.

Lobster Mac and Cheese:

• In a large, heavy bottom saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour until a paste forms.

• Continue to cook on medium heat until paste turns a light brown.

• Whisk in milk until smooth. Then add shredded cheeses, blending until smooth.

• Using a pasta spoon, toss cooked pasta with cheese sauce.

• Test for seasoning and then add Kosher salt or cracked pepper sparingly. This will vary based on how salty your cheese was.

  

• Lightly toss with chopped lobster and chives, reserving a few pieces for topping at the very end.

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a casserole dish with cooking spray.

• Transfer to baking dish.

• Top with crunchy panko topping.

  

• Bake, uncovered for 15 minutes.

  

• Garnish with scallions, chives or parsley and reserved lobster chunks. Serve hot.

• If you tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.

You can use any type of seafood you'd like, just make sure it totals 2 cups and it cooked. Crab, shrimp, scallops and other shellfish are all good options.

Calories: 474 kcal | Carbohydrates: 54 g | Protein: 21 g | Fat: 19 g | Saturated Fat: 10 g | Cholesterol: 67 mg | Sodium: 445 mg | Potassium: 282 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 520 IU | Vitamin C: 1 mg | Calcium: 319 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Meet The Author: Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Copycat Ruth's Chris Lobster Mac and Cheese

Source: https://www.savoryexperiments.com/lobster-mac-and-cheese/

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