Crabby Mac N Cheese

Crabby Mac uses the Classic Baked Mac and Cheese recipe with the delicious addition of crab!

• 12 ounces chopped cooked crab
• Kosher salt
• 8 ounces fusilli or other short pasta
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk, heated
• 1 bay leaf
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 1/2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded gruyere cheese

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking, 2 minutes, then whisk in the milk. Add the bay leaf, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon salt and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thick, 8 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and stir in 2 cups cheddar and the gruyere. Stir in the pasta and the reserved cooking water to make a loose sauce. Butter a 2-quart baking dish; add the pasta mixture and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar. Bake 15 minutes.

Top with the cheese and a mix of 1/2 cup panko, 1/4 cup chopped chives and 1 tablespoon melted butter; broil until golden. (Do not bake again)