Creating this Creamy Baked Ziti is easy if you follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the ziti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. Brown Meat: In a skillet, cook the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
4. Mix Sauce: Add the marinara sauce to the meat. Stir and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. Combine Cheese: In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
6. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, meat sauce, and the cheese mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
7. Layer in Baking Dish: Spread half of the ziti mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese.
8. Add Remaining Ziti: Layer the rest of the ziti mixture and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
9. Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
10. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

These steps will guide you in creating this incredible Creamy Baked Ziti effortlessly.