Let’s assemble this ultimate comfort dish:

1. Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente (still slightly firm to the bite).
• Drain the pasta well. The recipe mentions saving pasta water “for later” but doesn’t explicitly use it; however, reserving ~1 cup is always good practice in case your sauce needs thinning. Set drained pasta aside.

2. Make the Meat Sauce:

• While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or sausage) and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the meat is browned and the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off excess fat if necessary.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat slightly and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

3. Combine Pasta, Sauce, and Ricotta:

• In a large bowl (large enough to hold everything!), combine the cooked and drained ziti, the prepared meat sauce, and the ricotta cheese.
• Stir gently but thoroughly until the pasta is well coated and the ricotta is distributed throughout the mixture.

4. Assemble the Layers:

• Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly into the bottom of the greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Top this layer with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup) and half of the grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup).
• Add the remaining pasta mixture over the cheese layer, spreading it evenly.
• Top with the rest of the shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup) and the rest of the grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup).

5. Bake (Two Stages):

• Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
• Carefully remove the aluminum foil. Continue baking, uncovered, for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.

6. Rest, Garnish, and Serve:

• Let the baked ziti cool in the dish for a few minutes (at least 10-15 minutes is ideal) before serving. This helps it set slightly and makes serving easier.
• Garnish with chopped fresh parsley just before serving. Serve hot.

Layering is key to cheesy goodness in every bite!