Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.

Pour in marinara sauce and stir to combine. Let simmer for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.

In a mixing bowl, combine drained ziti, ricotta cheese, half mozzarella, half Parmesan, fresh basil, salt and pepper. Mix until evenly coated.

In a greased baking dish, layer half of the meat sauce, then half of the ziti mixture. Repeat and top with remaining meat sauce.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, add remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly.

Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Drizzle with additional marinara sauce if desired.