Half-and-Half Baked Ziti with Mozzarella and Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-03 · Updated 2026-08-03

A comforting baked ziti featuring a luscious half-and-half cream sauce blended with mozzarella and fresh basil for a rich, balanced flavor. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, half-and-half, and whole milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti pasta
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper ground
• 1/4 tsp (optional) crushed red pepper flakes

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz ziti pasta. Cook for 9 minutes until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.
4. Step 4: Gradually whisk in 1 cup half-and-half and 1 cup whole milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes if using, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
6. Step 6: Combine the cooked ziti with the cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl, stirring gently to coat every piece.
7. Step 7: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and bake uncovered for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
8. Step 8: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.