Ingredients:

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 (32 ounce) jar marinara sauce or your own sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, grated or shredded
• 1 heaping cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese

Directions:

1. Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook at a boil, uncovered, until the pasta is al dent. Drain the pasta and stir in a bit of olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking together.
2. While the water is heating start on the sauce. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. When the oil is warmed add the onions and stir well. Sauté until the onions are translucent and beginning to brown, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic, basil, and Italian seasoning stirring to combine. Cook 1 minute, then add the tomato sauce and stir well. Bring to a simmer.
4. Add salt and pepper, and adjust seasonings to your taste.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
6. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick spray. Spread a thin layer of the sauce in the bottom of the dish then place small teaspoons of riccotta over the sauce. Ladle a spoonful of sauce into the pasta, stir it well and then add the pasta into the casserole. Pour the rest of the sauce over the pasta, dot the remaining ricotta cheese over the pasta, and sprinkle on top both the mozzarella and the Parmesan cheese.
7. Bake in until the top is lightly browned and the cheese melted, about 20 to 25 minutes. If you like broil for 1-2 minutes at the end to add a nice golden tint to the cheese.