Fancy (Lobster and/or Bacon) Gruyere Mac & Cheese

Fancy (Lobster and/or Bacon) Gruyere Mac & Cheese

• Kosher salt

• Vegetable oil

• 1 pound cavatappi or elbow macaroni

• 1 quart milk

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 12 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated (4 cups)

• 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

• 1 ½ pounds cooked lobster meat (or bacon, more like 1 pound)

• 1 ½ cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Serves 6-8

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the pasta and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. In a large pot, melt 6 tablespoons of butter and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. Still whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, the pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and lobster (or bacon) and stir well. Place the mixture in 6 to 8 individual gratin dishes, or one large casserole dish. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.