Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set it aside. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté the minced garlic for a minute or two until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, then drain off excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer for a few minutes.

In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of mozzarella until the mixture is smooth and well blended. To assemble the dish, spread half the pasta in the prepared baking dish, add the cheese mixture on top, then layer the remaining pasta over it. Pour the meat sauce evenly across the top and finish with the remaining mozzarella and all the Parmesan cheese.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.