Follow these simple steps to make the Best Ever Baked Ziti:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large baking dish.
2. Cook Pasta: In a large pot, cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Brown Meat: Add ground beef or sausage, cooking until browned. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
5. Combine with Sauce: Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes until heated through.
6. Mix Cheeses: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly.
7. Layer Ingredients: In the prepared baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Then add half of the cooked ziti, followed by spoonfuls of the cheese mixture. Add more meat sauce, the remaining ziti, and finally the last of the meat sauce on top.
8. Add Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
9. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
10. Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10-15 minutes. This will help set the layers for serving.

These steps will guide you in creating this incredible dish with ease. Each stage is straightforward, ensuring that you create a baked ziti that will be the highlight of your meal!