Baked Tomato Spaghetti
["12 medium size (1 3/4 lb.) plum tomatoes (firm and ripe)", "salt and pepper", "3 to 6 cloves minced garlic", "1/2 c. chopped parsley", "1/2 c. olive oil", "1 lb. spaghetti", "2 Tbsp. butter (room temperature)", "1/2 c. basil leaves, if fresh, and whole or 2 Tbsp. if dry", "grated Parmesan cheese (optional)"]
["Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise and set, cut sides up, in a 9 x 13-inch pan.", "Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.", "Mix garlic, 1/3 cup of parsley, and 2 tablespoons olive oil; pat mixture over cut halves of tomatoes.", "Drizzle 2 tablespoons oil over tomatoes.", "Bake at 425\u00b0 until browned on top, 60 to 70 minutes."]
["tomatoes", "salt", "garlic", "parsley", "olive oil", "spaghetti", "butter", "basil", "Parmesan cheese"]