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, ready to be assembled into the ultimate baked ziti masterpiece.

2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat, then add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix these ingredients until they’re evenly incorporated, creating a rich and creamy cheese filling that will take your baked ziti to new heights.

4. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13 inch baking dish, start by spreading a thin layer of the meat sauce to create a flavorful foundation. Next, layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by an even spread of the ricotta cheese mixture. Add another layer of the meat sauce, then top it with the remaining ziti. Finish by pouring the rest of the meat sauce over the top and sprinkling the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

5. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake the Million Dollar Baked Ziti for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

6. Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will give the layers a chance to set, ensuring that each bite is a perfectly balanced blend of creamy, cheesy, and flavor-packed goodness.