Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This allows your dish to cook evenly and achieve that beautiful golden top.

Step 2: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of the pasta water in case you need to loosen the mixture later.

Step 3: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion. Once the beef is cooked through and the onion is soft, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.

Step 4: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let this simmer for 10 minutes so the flavors can deepen and meld.

Step 5: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Stir gently until all the pasta is evenly coated with sauce and cheese.

Step 6: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half the pasta mixture. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.

Step 7: Add the remaining pasta and top it with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Press down slightly to pack everything in.

Step 8: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 9: Let the baked ziti rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy every melty bite.