Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage, breaking it apart, and cook until browned and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer briefly to combine flavors.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, and chopped basil if using. Mix gently until well coated and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Lightly grease your 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the pasta mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula or spoon.

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

Bake uncovered in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown on top. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.

Remove from the oven and let rest for about 10 minutes. This helps the cheese set and makes slicing easier.

Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, then serve hot.