Ingredients
– 5 lobster tails
– 10 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
– 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
– 8 cups water
– 1 pound cavatappi pasta
– 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar
– 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack
– 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere
– 2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
– 1 teaspoon olive oil
– 2 teaspoons minced garlic
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 1/4 cups heavy cream at room temperature
– 2 1/4 cups whole milk at room temperature
– 2 teaspoons onion powder
– 2 teaspoons garlic powder
– 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
– 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 large eggs beaten
– 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
– Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
1-Step 1: Preparing the Lobster Start by preheating your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the lobster tails in half vertically and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Melt 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter and brush it on the lobster tails, then sprinkle with 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Bake for 10 minutes until they turn a nice color, then remove the meat from the shells and chop it into large chunks. Pour the remaining butter from the baking sheet over the lobster chunks and set them aside. Lower the oven temperature to 375 degrees for the next steps.
2-Step 2: Cooking the Pasta Next, bring 8 cups of salted water to a boil and cook 1 pound of cavatappi pasta according to the package instructions until itβs al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside so it doesnβt get too soft before baking.
3-Step 3: Making the Cheese Sauce Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and add 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, cooking for about 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons of the unsalted butter and let it melt. Quickly whisk in 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Then, pour in 2 1/4 cups of heavy cream and 2 1/4 cups of whole milk while whisking continuously. Stir in 2 teaspoons each of onion powder and garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon of dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Add half of the shredded cheeses thatβs 1 1/2 cups mild cheddar, 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack, 1 1/2 cups Gruyere, and half of the 2/3 cup Parmesan and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
4-Step 4: Assembling and Baking Add the cooked pasta to a baking dish and stir in the 2 large beaten eggs and 1 tablespoon of butter. Pour in the cheese sauce and half of the lobster chunks, mixing everything well. Spread the remaining lobster over the top and sprinkle with the rest of the shredded cheese, making sure the lobster pieces are visible for that extra appeal. In a small bowl, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, add 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs, and toss to coat. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the dish, leaving the lobster mostly exposed. Bake at 375 degrees for 27-35 minutes until itβs bubbly and golden. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving, and garnish with chopped parsley. For a crispier top, broil for a few minutes while keeping a close eye on it.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
π Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness after baking.
π¦ Slightly undercook lobster tails, as they will continue cooking in the oven to prevent rubbery texture.
π§ Shred cheese yourself instead of using pre-shredded for better melting and texture.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 578
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 423mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 173mg
