1. 1. Begin by boiling the ziti pasta in salted water according to the package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

2. 2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat, then add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and let simmer for about 5 minutes.

3. 3. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until evenly incorporated.

4. 4. Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by the ricotta mixture, another layer of meat sauce, and the remaining ziti. Top with the rest of the meat sauce and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

5. 5. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

6. 6. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.