Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will make cleanup easier and ensure the meatballs don’t stick.

1. Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and oregano. Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
2. Shape the meatballs: Using your hands, form the meat mixture into balls about 1 inch in diameter. You should have around 20-24 meatballs, depending on the size.
3. Fry the meatballs: Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, which should take about 6-8 minutes. You don’t need to cook them all the way through, as they will finish cooking in the oven.
4. Transfer the meatballs to the oven: Once browned, place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they’re fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 160°F or 71°C).

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

While the meatballs are baking, cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the ziti, and cook according to package instructions, usually for about 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Be sure to undercook the pasta slightly, as it will continue cooking when baked in the sauce.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and set it aside. You can reserve a little bit of pasta water in case you need to thin out the sauce later.

Step 3: Assemble the Baked Ziti

1. Prepare the sauce: In a large bowl, combine the marinara sauce with half of the ricotta cheese and a little salt and pepper. Stir until smooth. This will create a creamy, cheesy base for the pasta.
2. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked ziti to the sauce and stir to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
3. Add the meatballs: Gently fold the cooked meatballs into the pasta and sauce mixture. Be careful not to break the meatballs apart.
4. Layer in the baking dish: Pour half of the pasta and meatball mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly, then dollop half of the remaining ricotta cheese on top. Sprinkle with a generous amount of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
5. Add the second layer: Top with the remaining pasta mixture, and then add the rest of the ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan on top. This layering will ensure that the cheese melts beautifully and the pasta stays creamy.

Step 4: Bake the Ziti

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Once the ziti is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This will allow the sauce to set and make it easier to serve.

Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and a burst of freshness. Serve with a side salad or some crusty garlic bread for the ultimate comfort food experience.