Creating Baked Ziti with Mozzarella is an easy and rewarding endeavor. Follow these steps to make this incredible dish:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. Make the Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
4. Mix the Marinara Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix together 2 cups of marinara sauce with the cooked and crumbled sausage (if using).
5. Layer the Ingredients: In a large baking dish, begin layering:

• Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
• Add half of the cooked ziti pasta.
• Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
• Sprinkle with one cup of mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, ending with marinara sauce on top.

1. Top It Off: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer of marinara sauce.
2. Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
3. Cool and Serve: Once removed from the oven, let the dish sit for about 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

By following these steps, you’ll have a delicious and simple Baked Ziti with Mozzarella ready to be enjoyed!