Never thought to do this before, but this was a hit at the last event I threw!

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

In a medium-sized baking dish, spread half of the meat sauce on the bottom.

Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese over the meat sauce, then sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Repeat the layers with the remaining meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Garnish with fresh basil before serving. Serve warm with your choice of dippers.

For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms and spinach. You can also add a layer of cooked pasta for a heartier dip. If you prefer a spicier kick, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce. For a lighter option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef or sausage.