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.