Creating this incredible Baked Ziti is straightforward if you follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook Pasta: In a large pot, boil salted water and cook ziti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. Sauté Vegetables: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
4. Brown Meat: If using, add ground beef or sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
5. Combine Ingredients: Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
6. Mix Cheese: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix until smooth.
7. Layer Ingredients: In the greased baking dish, spread half of the pasta. Top with half of the meat sauce, then half of the ricotta mixture. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
8. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
9. Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
10. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes before serving.