Kitchen Divas

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us
    • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Fish and Seafood

    Smoked Mac and Cheese with Lobster

    Published: Nov 19, 2021 · Modified: Oct 31, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 4 Comments

    Share55
    Pin144
    Post
    Email
    Share
    200Shares
    200Shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Smoked mac and cheese with lobster takes our potluck favorite and kicks it up several notches. This smoked gouda mac and cheese is rich and full-bodied and has the added decadence of lobster!

    Mac and cheese is one of my favorite dishes because you can go as simple or as involved as you like. For this recipe, my husband and I decided to get a little fancy and a little smoky!

    Overhead image of Smoked Mac and Cheese with Lobster in a bowl with a spoon.

    Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

    This was inspired by my other mac and cheese recipe on this site. I figured if I could get as creative as combining BBQ with mac and cheese in one dish, then I could definitely make this ultra-rich mac and cheese work. And I did!

    Ingredients

    It takes quite a few ingredients to make this dish, but don't let that throw you off! Although the ingredient list looks long, if you really look at it, you'll see that it's mostly made up of seasonings and cheeses that you'll be melting.

    • Noodles
    • Lobster tails
    • Salted butter
    • Smoked paprika
    • Lemon juice

    For the Bread Crumb Topping

    • Panko bread crumbs
    • Shredded parmesan cheese
    • Melted butter
    • Horseradish
    • Lemon juice
    • Old Bay seasoning

    For the Cheese Sauce

    • Shredded white cheddar
    • gouda, shredded
    • Shredded gruyere
    • Whole milk
    • Heavy cream
    • All purpose flour
    • Salted butter
    • Diced yellow onion
    • Minced garlic cloves
    • Minced shallot
    • Sun dried tomato paste
    • Bay leaves
    • Coarse black pepper

    How to Make Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

    If you were looking at the ingredient list and feeling overwhelmed, don't worry. This recipe is actually very straightforward.

    Step 1: Prep

    Boil the noodles per package directions and drain them. While the noodles are boiling, prepare the vegetables and cheeses, and measure out your ingredients.

    Step 2: Make the Sauce Base

    Set the smoker to 350 degrees and preheat it for 15 minutes. Add butter to a Dutch oven without the lid and melt it in the smoker. Then once, the butter is melted, add onions, garlic, and shallot. Saute for 5 minutes.

    Whisk in the flour and cook for 3 minutes. Then, add the milk, cream, sun-dried tomato paste, and pepper, whisking well to combine. Top with bay leaves and place the lid on the Dutch oven. Cook in the smoker for 20 minutes.

    Step 3: Grill the Lobster

    While the sauce base is cooking, place the lobster tails directly onto the grill grate and cook for 10 minutes.

    Step 4: Smoke the Lobster

    Cut a slit down the tail of the cooked lobster and pry the meat out. Chop the meat and add it to a small cast-iron skillet along with butter, smoked paprika, and lemon juice. Place it in the smoker for 5 minutes. Then, remove it and set it aside.

    Step 5: Make the Cheese Sauce

    Add the shredded cheeses to the Dutch oven and stir until melted. Remove the Dutch oven from the smoker.

    Step 6: Make the Crumb Topping

    In a small mixing bowl, combine melted butter, panko, parmesan cheese, horseradish, lemon juice, parsley, and Old Bay seasoning.

    Step 7: Put it all Together

    Add cooked noodles to the cheese and stir to coat. Then, top with the lobster meat and bread crumbs. Place the Dutch oven without the lid back into the smoker and smoke for 15 minutes.

    Hint: Never open the smoker lid until you're ready to add ingredients or remove the pot or the skillet. Keep that smoke where it belongs!

    close up image of Smoked Mac and Cheese with Lobster in a bowl with a spoon.

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this smoked gouda mac and cheese with lobster.

    • Any Small Noodles - If you don't have macaroni any small noodle like ziti, penne, and the like will do.
    • Imitation Lobster - If you don't have lobster or don't want to pay for lobster, you can use imitation lobster. It tastes surprisingly good!
    • Grated Parmesan Cheese - If you don't have shredded parmesan cheese, you can use the grated parmesan available in the tubes.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this smoked mac and cheese with lobster recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes to the sauce base for an extra kick of flavor and heat.
    • Shrimp - Add some shrimp and make this dish a shellfish delight.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this shrimp pasta salad, chicken bacon ranch mac and cheese, or Skillet Mac and Cheese.

    Smoked Mac and Cheese with Lobster in a cooking pot with a wooden spoon ready to serve.

    Storage

    This mac and cheese will keep well in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for three to five days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to three months.

    What To Serve With Smoked Mac And Cheese With Lobster

    Just when you thought that this dish couldn't get any better, imagine pairing it with something out of this world good. Your meal will be something everyone is talking about and you'll be the master chef in your home!

    Tips

    This is a fairly simple recipe, mostly involving basic sauteing and some melting. Even so, I have some tips here that will help you make the best dish possible.

    • Don't open the smoker lid unless you have to. The smoke and heat should stay inside the smoker where they can do their thing.
    • When shredding your cheese, use the fine side of the cheese grater. This will allow the cheese to melt faster.
    • Use an oven glove or let the lobster cool a bit before attempting to cut the shell and remove the meat.
    Smoked Mac and Cheese with Lobster in a black bowl with a spoon ready to eat

    More Smoked Recipes

    Do you like cooking with a smoker? Here are some recipes you may also like to try

    • Smoked Pretzels
    • Easy Smoked Hot Dogs
    • Smoked Cauliflower

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about smoked gouda mac and cheese? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about smoked mac and cheese.

    How long is smoked mac and cheese good?

    This mac and cheese will last for three to five days in the refrigerator. You can freeze it for up to three months.

    What kind of wood do you use to smoke mac and cheese?

    Mild wood works best. Use cherry, apple, maple, or pecan.

    How do I freeze mac and cheese?

    Chill the mac and cheese completely. Then place it in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.

    How do you reheat frozen mac and cheese?

    Place the mac and cheese in an uncovered baking dish in a 350-degree oven for 1 to 1 ½ hours or until heated through.

    How do you thaw frozen mac and cheese?

    Place it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.

    How do you reheat thawed mac and cheese?

    Bake covered for 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

    Smoked Mac and Cheese with Lobster

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Overhead photo of Lobster mac and cheese served inside a large bowl.

    Smoked Mac and Cheese with Lobster

    Karin and Ken
    This smoked mac and cheese with lobster puts a fancy twist on an old favorite. This smoked gouda mac and cheese is so decadent.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 48 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 3 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9 Servings
    Calories 739 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • smoker
    • saucepan
    • wooden spoon
    • Sharp knife
    • cutting board
    • Dutch Oven or oven proof soup pot or deep oven proof skillet
    • Scissors
    • small cast iron skillet
    • mixing bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb noodles
    • 2 8 oz lobster tails
    • 4 tablespoon salted butter
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • Fresh parsley chopped as garnish

    Bread Crumb Topping

    • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
    • ⅓ cup shredded parmesan cheese
    • ¼ cup salted butter melted
    • 1 teaspoon horseradish
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ tablespoon old bay seasoning

    Cheese Sauce

    • 4 oz block sharp white cheddar shredded
    • 2 oz block Gouda shredded
    • 4 oz block gruyere cheese shredded
    • 2 cups whole milk
    • 2 cups heavy cream
    • ¼ cup all purpose flour
    • 4 tablespoon salted butter
    • 1 cup diced yellow onion
    • 3 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
    • 1 tablespoon sun dried tomato paste
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Get out and measure your ingredients.
      Overhead photo of all the ingredients.
    • Set the smoker to 350 degrees and preheat for 15 minutes.
    • Boil and drain the noodles.
    • Add butter to a Dutch oven without the lid and melt in the smoker.
      Butter melting inside a Dutch oven.
    • Once melted, add onion, garlic, and shallot. Sauté for 5 minutes.
      Onion, garlic, and shallot added to the Dutch oven.
    • Whisk in the flour and cook for 3 minutes.
      Flour added to the Dutch oven.
    • Then, add sundried tomato paste, and pepper.
      Milk, cream, sundried tomato paste, and pepper added to the Dutch oven.
    • Followed by milk and cream.
      Pouring the milk into the Dutch oven.
    • Whisk well to combine. Top with bay leaves.
      Ingredients are cooked and garnished with two bay leaves.
    • Place the lid on the Dutch oven. Cook for 20 minutes.
      Dutch oven placed inside a smoker.
    • At the same time, place lobster tails directly on the grill grates and cook for 10 minutes.
      Lobster tails placed on the grill.
    • And bright colored.
      Cooked lobster tails on the grill.
    • Cut a slit down the tail and pry the meat out. If you need more information on how to do this check out our how to cut a lobster tail post.
      Cutting lobster tail shell with shears.
    • Chop lobster meat.
      Lobster meat chopped on a wooden cutting board.
    • Add lobster meat to a small cast iron skillet with 4 tablespoon butter, smoked paprika, and ½ tablespoon lemon juice.
      Lobster meat added to a cast iron skillet with butter, smoked paprika and lemon juice.
    • Place back into the smoker for 5 more minutes. Remove and set aside.
      Cast iron skillet placed inside the smoker.
    • Add panko, parmesan cheese, horseradish, lemon juice, and old bay seasoning in a small mixing bowl.
      Panko, parmesan cheese, horseradish, lemon juice, and old bay seasoning added to a small mixing bowl
    • Add parsley and stir until combined.
      Ingredients are mixed well. Fresh parsley is added.
    • Add melted butter.
      Pouring melted butter into the small mixing bowl.
    • Stir until blended.
      Ingredients are mixed well.
    • Remove Dutch Oven from the smoker.
      Dutch oven removed from smoker and placed onto a wooden table.
    • Add shredded cheese to the Dutch oven.
      Shredded cheeses added to the Dutch oven.
    • Stir until melted.
      Cheese is stirred until melted.
    • Add noodles to the cheese sauce.
      Noodles added to the sauce inside the Dutch oven.
    • Stir until coated.
      Noodles mixed well inside the Dutch oven.
    • Top with lobster meat.
      Lobster meat added to the Dutch oven.
    • And crumb mixture to top and place back into smoker without lid for 15 minutes.
      Crumb mixture added to the top of the lobster meat inside the Dutch oven.
    • Remove from smoker.
      Dutch oven removed from the smoker.
    • Serve.
      Closeup photo of a spoonful of mac and cheese.
    • Enjoy!
      Closeup photo of a wooden spoon digging into a Dutch oven with mac and cheese.
    • Every creamy bite!

    Notes

    • Don't open the smoker lid unless you have to. The smoke and heat should stay inside the smoker where they can do their thing.
    • When shredding your cheese, use the fine side of the cheese grater. This will allow the cheese to melt faster.
    • Use an oven glove or let the lobster cool a bit before attempting to cut the shell and remove the meat.
    Mmm...mac and cheese with lobster...what could sound more delicious? Well, I'll tell ya...take that awesome dish and pair it with a side or two and you'll have a meal that will make you the talk of the town!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ServingCalories: 739kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 22gFat: 49gSaturated Fat: 30gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 533mgPotassium: 344mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1818IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 448mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword smoked mac and cheese
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Share55
    Pin144
    Post
    Email
    Share
    200Shares
    200Shares

    More Fish and Seafood

    • A piece of air fryer tilapia with seasonings on top.
      Air Fryer Tilapia
    • A plate of sweet chili salmon on a table with forks to the side.
      Sweet Chili Salmon
    • A plate of salmon pesto pasta ready to eat.
      Salmon Pesto Pasta
    • A plate of pancake batter fried fish with sauce on the side garnished with lemon slices.
      Pancake Batter Fried Fish

    Comments

    1. Valerie says

      June 09, 2023 at 2:09 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my the decadence! This is by far the best smoked Mac and cheese recipe I've ever had. It is so rich and cheesy. I just love the gouda in this. I have even tried using crab once. It was amazing but I definitely prefer the lobster 🦞 😋 I cannot thank you enough for all of your inspiration.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        June 09, 2023 at 7:45 pm

        I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe. We love the end result too! Thank you for letting me know. You made my day. All the best. Karin

    2. Abby says

      June 01, 2023 at 11:20 am

      5 stars
      We are from the coast and we love lobster. Who doesn't love pasta right. When you combine the two together it's melt in your mouth delicious. I just love this cheesey recipe. It's rich but not too rich. Lobster is definitely the way to go but once even used none and it still turned out great. 10 stars!

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        June 09, 2023 at 7:48 pm

        Thank you for your kind words. I try my best. I love this macaroni and cheese. Glad I’m not alone! All the best. Karin

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    More about us

    Most Popular July 4th Recipes!

    • A slice of red, white, and blue cheesecake on a stack of white plates.
      Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake
    • 4th of July candy chocolate bark leaned up against other chocolate bark.
      4th of July Chocolate Bark
    • A bowl of cheesecake fruit salad with a wooden spoon.
      Cheesecake Fruit Salad
    • A slice of red white and blue cake being held up by a metal spatula.
      Red, White, and Blue Cake

    More Red, White and Blue Desserts ➡️

    Summer Favorites

    • A slice of strawberry charlotte cake on a plate topped with fresh strawberries.
      Strawberry Charlotte
    • A slice of Oreo delight on a white plate garnished with an Oreo cookie.
      No-Bake Oreo Delight
    • A slice of Funfetti ice cream cake on a blue plate.
      Funfetti Ice Cream Cake for Birthdays & More
    • A stack of three frozen s'mores bars on top of each other.
      Frozen S’mores

    More Sweet Treats ➡️

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and what's new!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Kitchen Divas All Rights Reserved