Description

Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites are a decadent, bite-sized twist on the classic comfort food. Featuring tender chunks of lobster blended with creamy gouda, cheddar, and cream cheese macaroni, these savory bites are baked to golden perfection with a crispy breadcrumb topping and fresh chives for garnish. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack, they combine rich flavors and a delightful texture in every morsel.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites

Cooking spray
Kosher salt
6 oz. elbow pasta
2 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. unsalted butter, divided
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)
4 oz. cooked lobster meat, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. plain bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. thinly sliced chives
Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spray a 24-cup mini muffin tin thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until just very al dente, about 5 to 6 minutes, since the pasta will cook further in the oven.
Sauté Aromatics and Make Roux: While pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped shallot and coarsely chopped garlic, cooking until fragrant and the shallots become translucent, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns light brown and bubbly, approximately 1 minute.
Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly add the heavy cream, stirring continuously until the sauce begins to thicken, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the cream cheese, shredded gouda, and mild cheddar until fully melted and smooth. Season with kosher salt to taste.
Combine Lobster and Pasta: Fold the cooked pasta and finely chopped lobster meat into the cheese sauce, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: In a small skillet over medium heat, melt the remaining 1 teaspoon of butter. Add the plain breadcrumbs, stirring until the crumbs are evenly coated and fragrant. Remove from heat.
Assemble Bites: Using two small spoons or a small cookie scoop, portion the lobster mac and cheese mixture evenly into the prepared muffin tin cups. Sprinkle each cup generously with the buttery breadcrumb topping.
Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bites are golden brown and bubbly on top.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, top with thinly sliced chives and freshly ground black pepper. Serve warm as an elegant appetizer or snack.

Notes

Make sure to undercook the pasta slightly as it will finish cooking in the oven, preventing it from becoming mushy.
Using cooked lobster meat saves prep time and ensures the lobster stays tender.
Feel free to substitute gouda or cheddar for other cheeses like gruyere or fontina for different flavor profiles.
Breadcrumb topping adds a lovely crunch but can be omitted for a gluten-free option or replaced with crushed gluten-free crackers.
These bites can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving to save time on the day of your event.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bite
Calories: 110
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 40mg