Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent.

Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

If adding meat, incorporate the ground beef or Italian sausage into the skillet and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes.

Pour in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a large bowl, combine the drained ziti pasta with the meat sauce mixture.

In another bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan until smooth.

In a baking dish, layer half of the ziti mixture, then half of the ricotta mixture. Repeat with remaining ziti and ricotta.

Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.

Let cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.