Making Baked Ziti with Cheese is straightforward if you follow these steps:

1. Preheat your oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the ziti and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Brown the meat: If using meat, add ground beef or sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
6. Combine sauce and spices: Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
7. Mix in pasta: In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the meat and sauce mixture. Stir until evenly coated.
8. Prepare the cheese mixture: In another bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine.
9. Layer the ingredients: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the ziti mixture. Then, dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Repeat with the remaining ziti and top with the remaining ricotta mixture.
10. Top with cheese: Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
11. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
12. Cool and serve: Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Each of these steps ensures that your Baked Ziti with Cheese turns out deliciously every time.