One-Pan Pasta

Cannibal Stew is apparently late to the viral sensation on this one...  Supposedly it came from Martha Stewart originally:

Recipe

12 oz linguine
12 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
1 onion, sliced thinly
4 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
2 sprigs basil
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 1/2 c water
red pepper
salt & pepper
Parmesan cheese

Start with most of the ingredients in one large straight-sided skillet - pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, olive oil, some red pepper, salt & pepper, and the water.  Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring pasta frequently.  Cook about 9 minutes, until the pasta is ready and most of the water absorbed/evaporated.

Serve with Parmesan and more salt & pepper, olive oil, and basil.

Notes 

Twelve ounces is a strange quantity of pasta - since boxes are usually a pound, you either leave yourself an inconveniently small uncooked portion or you round up or down.  I went up and increased the water to 5 cups, which may not have been necessary.  In any case, it's a pretty quick, not too difficult pasta recipe, a good alternative to carbonara.