Description
Delicious and indulgent Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites featuring tender elbow pasta, creamy gouda and cheddar cheese sauce, and succulent cooked lobster meat, baked to golden perfection in mini muffin tins. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 6 oz. elbow pasta
- Kosher salt for boiling water
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided (2 Tbsp. + 1 tsp.)
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 3 oz. gouda, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 3 oz. mild cheddar, shredded (about 1 cup)
Additional Ingredients:
- 4 oz. cooked lobster meat, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. plain bread crumbs
- 1 Tbsp. thinly sliced chives
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a mini 24-cup muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook elbow pasta until very al dente, about 5 to 6 minutes. It should be undercooked as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
- Make Roux and Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add finely chopped shallot and coarsely chopped garlic, cooking until fragrant and the shallots are translucent, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring, until the mixture becomes light brown and bubbly, about 1 minute.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly add the heavy cream, stirring continuously until it begins to thicken, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in softened cream cheese, shredded gouda, and shredded cheddar until fully melted and combined. Season with salt to taste.
- Combine Lobster and Pasta: Fold the finely chopped cooked lobster meat and cooked pasta gently into the cheese sauce until everything is well incorporated.
- Prepare Bread Crumb Topping: In a small skillet over medium heat, melt the remaining 1 teaspoon of butter. Add bread crumbs and stir until combined and fragrant, then remove from heat.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Using two small spoons or a small cookie scoop, evenly divide the lobster mac and cheese mixture among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the buttered bread crumbs evenly over each cup.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the bites are golden brown and bubbling on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with sliced chives and freshly ground black pepper. Serve warm as an appetizer or party bite.
Notes
- Make sure to undercook the pasta when boiling, as it cooks further during baking.
- Use fresh lobster meat for the best flavor, but frozen cooked lobster can be substituted if needed.
- To make ahead, prepare the mixture and refrigerate before filling the muffin tin; add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking chilled portions.
- For a crispier topping, broil the bites for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Adjust the seasoning of the cheese sauce as desired; adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika can add a nice kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite (approximately)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
