One-pot tomato basil pasta

Step 1: Thinly slice the onion and the garlic. Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, wide pot over medium heat and cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft, then the garlic for 1 minute.

Step 2: Add the tomatoes, crushing them with a spoon, 3 cups of water and ½ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil.

Step 3: Add the spaghetti, broken in half if it doesn't fit. Stir every minute or two for the first 5 minutes, when spaghetti sticks to the pot, then boil, stirring often, for 10 to 12 minutes in all until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened. Add a splash of water if it gets dry before the pasta is done.

Step 4: Off the heat, stir in most of the basil leaves, torn, and half the parmesan (½ cup). Taste and add salt if it needs it; the parmesan is salty, so taste first. Serve with the rest of the basil and parmesan on top.