Creating Million Dollar Baked Ziti is straightforward. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Cook Meat (Optional): If using meat, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Brown the ground beef or sausage until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside.
4. Mix Cheeses: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, one cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
5. Layer Ingredients: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of marinara sauce at the bottom. Add half of the cooked ziti, then half of the cheese mixture, and half of the meat if using. Repeat the layers once more, finishing with a layer of marinara sauce on top.
6. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top layer of sauce.
7. Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
8. Cool and Serve: Once done, let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.