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Step 1: Boil the Pasta - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti until just al dente, 1–2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce - In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant. Add ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns. Drain excess fat. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 egg, ½ cup mozzarella, ¼ cup Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
Step 4: Assemble the Baked Ziti - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large 9×13 baking dish, layer as follows: Spread a spoonful of meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked pasta. Spoon dollops of ricotta mixture over the pasta. Top with half of the meat sauce. Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella. Repeat the layers (pasta, ricotta, sauce, mozzarella). Finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan on top.
Step 5: Bake - Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. Let it rest 5–10 minutes before serving.