Lobster Truffle Mac Tray
Meet the Lobster Truffle Mac Tray—a luxurious, ultra-comforting addition to my Tray Chic series. This sheet pan dinner pairs creamy + crunchy lobster truffle macaroni and cheese with smoky, lime-roasted corn and a crisp shaved fennel–apple salad for balance and brightness. Finished with an individual, deeply fudgy brownie, it’s a full, elegant meal built on a sheet pan—easy to prepare, visually stunning, and made for cozy nights when you want something a little extra.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Meal
- Full meal, one pan: Creamy lobster mac, roasted corn, crisp fennel–apple salad, and a fudgy brownie—conveniently cooked on a sheet pan.
- Decadent + balanced: Rich, truffle-kissed pasta meets bright, refreshing citrusy crunch to keep every bite interesting.
- Luxury without fuss: Lobster mac feels restaurant-level, but the recipe stays streamlined and weeknight-friendly.
- Minimal clean-up: Most of the meal bakes on a single tray; just a few bowls and a pot for prep.
- Tray Chic energy: Elegant, cozy, and totally company-worthy, while still being a meal you can make on a weeknight.
🦞 The Main Event: Lobster Truffle Mac
This is comfort food dressed up for a night out. Tender pasta is coated in a silky, cheesy sauce scented with a touch of truffle, then folded with sweet lobster meat and finished with a crisp, buttery panko topping.
It’s rich, indulgent, and absolutely the star of the tray. ⭐
🌽 The Sides: Smoky Lime Roasted Corn + Shaved Fennel and Apple Salad
Sweet roasted corn brings warmth, color, and a little caramelized crunch—an easy, hands-off side that pairs beautifully with the creamy mac. On the opposite end of the tray, a shaved fennel–apple salad adds crisp freshness and bright citrusy notes. The thin ribbons of fennel and matchstick apples balance the richness perfectly and keep the whole meal feeling light and complete.
🍫The Dessert: Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Bites
Every Tray Chic meal deserves a sweet finish, and this one gets a small but mighty fudgy brownie. Baked in silicone cups for easy portioning, it’s dense, chocolatey, and rich—made with real melted chocolate and just the right amount of chew.
Simple to mix by hand and the perfect cozy bite to round out the tray.
🛠️ Tools and Essentials
These are some of my favorite tools and products used in this recipe. Check out the links below.
These divided baking trays make sheet pan meals super easy!
Silicone inserts are perfect for baking desserts and inserting into trays.
These divided + durable stoneware trays make meals extra fun!
As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases through the links below — thank you for supporting Family Tree Foodie!
🥣 Ingredients for Lobster Truffle Mac + Sides
🦞LOBSTER TRUFFLE MAC
- CAVATAPPI/ CURLY PASTA (protein pasta optional)
- ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
- WHOLE MILK
- HEAVY CREAM
- CONCENTRATED TRUFFLE POWDER *
- GRUYERE CHEESE, GRATED
- SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE, GRATED
- PARMESAN CHEESE, GRATED
- DRY WHITE WINE (optional)
- SALT AND PEPPER
TOPPING
- PANKO BREADCRUMBS
- MELTED UNSALTED BUTTER
- PAPRIKA
- CONCENTRATED TRUFFLE POWDER
- FRESH PARSLEY (chopped)
🌽 SMOKY LIME ROASTED CORN
- CORN (fresh ears with kernels shaved) or frozen
- UNSALTED BUTTER (melted)
- OLIVE OIL
- LIME ZEST
- SMOKED PAPRIKA
- SCALLIONS (sliced)
- SALT + PEPPER
🍎 SHAVED FENNEL/APPLE SALAD
- LARGE FENNEL BULB (shaved thin)
- CRISP APPLE (cut into thin matchsticks)
- FENNEL FRONDS (the delicate greens on the stalks)
- RADISHES (thin slices)
- LEMON JUICE
- OLIVE OIL
- SALT + PEPPER
📝 Ingredient Notes
🍄🟫 TRUFFLE POWDER *
These are my faves:
- Sabatino Tartufi Truffle Zest — my go-to truffle powder
- Trader Joe’s Black Truffle Powder Seasoning — available in stores seasonally
🟡 PASTA
- Choose a short, ridged noodle so the sauce clings—cavatappi, shells, or ridged elbows all work.
- Using a protein pasta is an easy upgrade and can add 10–15g extra protein per serving without changing the flavor.
🦞LOBSTER
- You’ll want 8–12 oz cooked lobster meat, which is about 2–3 whole lobsters depending on size.
🥣Ingredients for Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Bites
- UNSWEETENED DUTCH COCOA POWDER
- LARGE EGGS
- ALL-PUROPSE FLOUR
- GRANULATED SUGAR
- UNSALTED BUTTER
- BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE (chopped or chips)
- MILK CHOCOLATE (chopped or chips)
- KOSHER SALT
Step-by-Step Instructions for Lobster Truffle Mac
1. Toss cooked and chopped lobster with melted butter and set aside. | 2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. | 3. Melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. | 4. Add flour and stir with a whisk to make a roux. Cook 1-2 minutes.
5. Slowly whisk in milk and cream over medium heat until smooth. Whisk until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon when dipped.
6. Stir in truffle powder (start with 1 teaspoon and adjust up to 1.5 teaspoon if desired) and optional wine; simmer gently 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Reduce heat and add Gruyère, cheddar, and Parmesan; stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. | 8. Fold half the lobster meat into the pasta + cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning.
9. Mix panko, melted butter, smoked paprika, truffle powder and parsley. | 10. Pour mac mixture into a lightly greased 8×8-inch or similar baking dish. | 11. Sprinkle panko topping evenly over Mac and arrange remaining lobster chunks on top. | 12. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Step-by-Step Instructions : Sides
SMOKY LIME ROASTED CORN: 1. Toss corn with butter, olive oil, lime zest, smoked paprika, sliced scallions, salt, and pepper. | 2. Spread evenly in a tray section or small baking dish. | 3. Roast for 12-15 minutes, stirring once, until hot and lightly caramelized.
SHAVED FENNEL APPLE SALAD: 1. Trim the fennel bulb, removing stalks and fronds. Cut the bulb in half or quarters, then shave thinly on a mandolin or knife. | 2. Julienne, or thinly slice, 1 medium apple (mandolin or knife both work).| 3. Toss fennel and apple with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. | 4. Finish with fresh herbs or fennel fronds if you like. |5. Serve chilled or at room temperature for the best crunch.
Step-by-Step : Dessert | Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Bites
1. Set oven temperature to 350°F. | 2. Melt butter; whisk in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
2. Stir in cocoa powder, flour, and salt. | 3. Fold in chopped chocolate. | 4. Divide batter into silicone baking cups. | 5. Bake 18–22 minutes, until edges are set and centers are just soft.
Lobster Truffle Mac Dinner
Description
An elegant meal featuring creamy Lobster Truffle Mac, smoky lime roasted corn, crisp fennel–apple salad, and fudgy brownie bites—all baked in one sheet pan.
Ingredients
🦞 LOBSTER TRUFFLE MAC
Pasta + Lobster
- 8 oz dried pasta (about 2 heaping cups of short pasta such as cavatappi, shells, or elbows)
- 8–12 oz cooked lobster meat (claw/knuckle preferred) (This is the yield from about 2–3 lobsters, depending on size.)
Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1 ⅔ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1–1½ tsp truffle powder (start with 1 tsp; use up to 1½ tsp for stronger flavor)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp kosher salt (more to taste)
- Black pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
Panko Topping
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- Pinch of salt + pepper
🌽 ROASTED CORN
- 3 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen; if frozen, no need to thaw)
- 1 ½ tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Zest of 1 lime
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 sliced scallions
- Salt + pepper to taste
🍏 FENNEL AND APPLE SALAD
- 1 large fennel bulb, shaved thin
- 1 crisp apple (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady), cut into matchsticks
- 1 tbsp fennel fronds, chopped (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
- Pinch of sugar (optional)
- Salt + pepper
- 1–2 tbsp chopped fresh dill (optional but great)
🍫 FUDGY CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup chopped bittersweet chocolate or chips
- ¼ cup chopped milk chocolate or chips
Instructions
1.LOBSTER TRUFFLE MAC PREP
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta.
- Toss lobster with 1 tbsp butter; set aside.
2. COOK PASTA
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain, toss lightly with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
3. MAKE CHEESE SAUCE
- In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour to make a roux; cook 1–2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in milk and cream until smooth.
- Stir in truffle powder and optional wine; simmer gently 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat and add Gruyère, cheddar, and Parmesan; stir until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper.
4. COMBINE LOBSTER and PASTA
- Fold half the lobster meat into the pasta + cheese sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
5. ASSEMBLE AND TOP
- Pour mac mixture into a lightly greased 8×8-inch or similar baking dish.
- Mix panko, melted butter, smoked paprika, truffle powder and parsley.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over mac.
- Arrange remaining lobster chunks on top.
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
2. SMOKY LIME ROASTED CORN:
- Toss corn with butter, olive oil, lime zest, smoked paprika, sliced scallions, salt, and pepper.
- Spread evenly in a tray section or small baking dish.
- Roast for 12-15 minutes, stirring once, until hot and lightly caramelized.
3. SHAVED FENNEL APPLE SALAD:
- Trim the fennel bulb, removing stalks and fronds. Cut the bulb in half or quarters, then shave thinly on a mandolin or knife.
- Julienne, or thinly slice, 1 medium apple (mandolin or knife both work).
- Toss fennel and apple with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Finish with fresh herbs or fennel fronds if you like.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature for the best crunch.
4. FUDGY CHOCOLATE BROWNIE BITES
- Adjust temperature to 350°F.
- Melt butter; whisk in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
- Stir in cocoa powder, flour, and salt.
- Fold in chopped chocolate.
- Divide batter into silicone cups.
- Bake 18–22 minutes until edges are set and centers are just soft.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
❓FAQs
Q: How much lobster should I use?
A: 8–12 oz cooked lobster meat (about 2–3 lobsters depending on size).
Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?
A: Short, ridged pasta like cavatappi, shells, or ridged elbows works best. Protein pasta is optional.
Q: Is a mandolin required for the fennel and apple?
A: No — it helps slice thinly and evenly, but a sharp knife works fine.
Q: How saucy should the mac and cheese be?
A: The sauce should coat the pasta but not pool at the bottom; it will thicken slightly while baking.
Q: Can I prep this in advance?
A: Yes — the mac can be assembled and refrigerated a few hours ahead. Roast corn and make salad just before serving for best texture.
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