Ingredients
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) salted butter
- 1 1/2 tablespoons finely minced fresh onion
- 1 1/2 tablespoons finely minced fresh garlic
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Hungarian paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 quart heavy cream
- 1/2 pound processed cheese singles, diced
- 4 ounces sharp yellow Cheddar, shredded, plus about 4 cups for topping
- 2 ounces Italian fontina cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces fresh grated Italian Parmigiano
- 2 pounds dry macaroni elbows
- Grilled lobster, recipe follows
- Bread crumbs, recipe follows
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Directions
In a heavy 6-quart saucepan over low heat, melt butter and add onions and garlic. Slowly sweat over low heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add flour, stirring to combine, and incorporate all dry ingredients, along with hot sauce. Stir until uniform. Slowly whisk in heavy cream. Raise heat to medium, add cheeses and stir constantly just until cheese is melted. Cook's Note: do not bring this mixture to a boil; the temperature shouldn't exceed 140 degrees F.
Bring 2 gallons of salted water (you should be able to taste the salt, about 1/2 cup) to a boil in a 12-quart pot. Add macaroni; boil about 6 minutes, or until al dente. Strain, and immediately cool by rinsing with ice-cold water.
Ten minutes before you want the mac on the table, in a very large nonstick pan, warm cheese sauce over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant rubber spatula. Once cheese sauce comes to a simmer, add cold pasta and lobster meat. Return to a simmer, stirring constantly. Turn out warm noodles and sauce into large casserole dish, about 6-quart size. Cook's Note: For individual servings, separate noodles into 8 individual casserole dishes.
Top generously with additional shredded Cheddar and bread crumb mixture. Smooth bread crumbs into an even layer over the pasta and pat down with fingers to form a loose crust. Place under broiler until crumbs are an even golden brown. Garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
Grilled Lobster:
- 1 cup parsley leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for brushing grill
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 (1 1/2-pound) lobsters (live)
In a food processor, combine parsley, garlic, oil and salt. Split lobsters in half from the head down. Remove claws and cook for 5 minutes in boiling water. Remove parcooked claw and knuckle meat and marinate along with split tails in parsley mixture for 20 to 30 minutes. On a well oiled high heat grill, grill lobster tail meat down, along with claw and knuckle meat until charred slightly. Chop lobster meat into 1/2-inch cubes.
Bread Crumbs:
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Italian Romano cheese
In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients until combined. Set aside.
* Home Cook
Food Network Kitchens have not tested this recipe and therefore cannot make representation as to the results.
Photo: Vegas style Mac 'N' Cheese with Grilled Lobster Recipe


















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By thefalter_8710252
pasadena, CA
on November 25, 2011
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I substituted the american cheese singles for cream cheese and more cheddar. Made it very creamy and smooth. I would do it again.
By Kilyena
Greensboro, NC
on April 09, 2011
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This makes a wonderful cheese sauce for other recipes as well. We loved it!!
By vamp
Addison, IL
on July 05, 2010
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I'm renaming this recipe crack and cheese for my own benefit. I've made this multiple times (sans the lobster and the parsley topping and everybody loves, loves, loves it. It smells so good in the house when I'm making it I can't seem to contain myself and can't wait until it's finished. The woman who said it was gross must have screwed it up. The tumeric, garlic, onion, and paprika make it unusually delicious and the panko topping with a tint of salt adds another layer to the flavor. This is the best mac and cheese I've ever had and the complexity of the recipe makes the end product SO worth it.
Read all 27 reviews