Food & Cooking Recipes Ingredients Pasta and Grains Spaghetti 101 Be the first to rate & review! By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 16, 2017 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email It's a simple dish but it's easy to get it wrong. Here's how to do it right. Ingredients 2 tablespoons plus ¼ teaspoon sea or coarse salt 1 ½ pounds baby pear (or cherry) tomatoes or vine-ripened tomatoes, or 1 28-ounce can Italian plum tomatoes 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 8 ounces thin best-quality spaghetti 4 cloves garlic, peeled and cut into ⅛-inch-thick pieces ¼ teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes ¼ cup basil or parsley leaves, loosely packed and torn Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (optional) Directions In a tall stockpot, bring 3 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil. If using pear tomatoes, wash and stem. If using vine-ripened tomatoes, score bottoms with a small "X"; blanch 5 seconds in boiling water. Plunge tomatoes into an ice-water bath, then remove the skins. Using a chef's knife, cut flesh from cores, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips; place in a sieve set over a bowl. Press the cores of tomatoes through sieve; discard seeds. If using canned tomatoes, strain, and pass through a food mill. Drop spaghetti into boiling water; stir. Cook until al dente, about 11 minutes. Place a 12-inch saute pan over medium heat; add oil. Add garlic to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is lightly golden, about 30 seconds. Add red-pepper flakes and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook until garlic is medium golden, about 1 minute. Increase heat to high. Tilting pan at an angle, add the tomatoes. Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down, pear tomatoes begin to burst, or canned tomatoes begin to thicken, 5 to 6 minutes. If using pear tomatoes, mash a few with a spoon. If pear tomatoes start to get too dry, add a little water from the stockpot. Drain pasta in a colander, reserving 1 cup liquid in case sauce gets too dry. Add pasta to sauce in saute pan; cook until sauce begins to cling to pasta, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in basil; cook 30 seconds more. Divide among bowls, and sprinkle with cheese, if desired. Rate it Print