When I go through the trouble of making lobsters for dinner, I always make an extra one for leftover lobster recipes later. One of my favorite, most decadent, way to use cooked leftover lobster is to make lobster mac and cheese. It’s luxurious, delicious and a perfect food.

I’ve taken my usual large batch lobster mac and cheese recipe and recreated it for two people. I bake the pasta in individual, perfect-sized, baking dish.

Note that this could also be made using cooked shrimp or no seafood at all.

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. Panko breadcrumbs (could also use standard breadcrumbs but the topping will be less crunchy)
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Pasta Ingredients:

• Meat of one cooked 1 ¼ – 1 ½ pounds lobster
• 4 Tbsp. butter, divided
• 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• Big pinch each, salt and pepper
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 1 ½ cups extra sharp Cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ pound elbow macaroni, or other tubular pasta, cooked 2 minutes less than recommended in package directions, drained

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Topping Directions:

1. Microwave the butter until melted and bubbly, add the Panko and cayenne and combine well. Set aside.

Pasta Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter then and add the lobster meat. Warm for 2-3 minutes, tossing the lobster in the butter to coat and warm evenly. Set aside.
• Place the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat and allow to melt. Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly to create a roux. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stir the heavy cream and the milk into the butter/flour roux and bring to a simmer. Cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes, whisking often, until thick and bubbly.
• Slowly add the cheeses, a handful at a time, and stir until fully incorporated, about 2 minutes.
• Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well.
• Gently fold in the lobster meat and the butter it was cooked in (why not?).
• Add cheesy pasta to two individual baking dishes (could use one larger baking dish).
• Sprinkle with the Panko mixture and bake pasta for 15 minutes until panko mixture has lightly browned. Serve at once.

Makes 2 servings.