This Buttery Burst Cherry Tomatoes recipe is proof that a handful of simple ingredients can turn into something downright magical. Whether you toss them with cooked pasta, spoon them over a Boursin cheese omelet, or pile them onto whipped feta crostini, this buttery burst cherry tomato sauce is one you'll make on repeat.
Why You'll Love It
If you've got a carton of juicy cherry tomatoes hanging out on your counter, this is the recipe to make. As the burst cherry tomatoes slowly cook down in butter, they become sweet, jammy, and packed with rich tomato flavor. The butter transforms into a silky, luscious sauce while the red pepper flakes add just enough heat to keep every bite interesting.
I love this recipe because it feels fancy, but it's almost effortless. Everything comes together in one pan over medium heat, and there's hardly any prep involved. It's one of those recipes that lets the ingredients do all the work.
One of my favorite ways to serve this fresh tomato sauce is tossed with cooked pasta and plenty of parmesan cheese for an easy burst tomato pasta dinner. It's also incredible spooned over a creamy Boursin cheese omelet or layered onto toasted crostini with whipped feta and fresh basil. It even works as a buttery side dish alongside grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, or fish.
It's become a total family favorite in our house because it's endlessly versatile, packed with simple flavors, and comes together in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You only need a few pantry and refrigerator staples to make this buttery burst cherry tomato sauce. Since the ingredient list is so short, each one really gets a chance to shine.
- Salted butter: The star of the recipe that creates a rich, silky sauce. Unsalted butter works too-just add a little extra kosher salt to taste. You could also use a little olive oil but the butter makes such a difference!
- Cherry tomatoes: Juicy cherry tomatoes create the sweetest, jammiest sauce. Grape tomatoes are a great substitute if that's what you have.
- Garlic: Fresh Garlic is best! I don't recommend jarlick.
- Kosher salt: Brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. Fine sea salt works well, too.
- Red pepper flakes: Add gentle heat and balance the richness of the butter. Add more if you like things spicy or leave them out for a milder version.
How to Make It
This recipe couldn't be easier, and everything comes together in one skillet with very little hands-on work.
- Melt the butter: Add half of the butter to a large skillet over medium heat until completely melted.
- Cook the tomatoes: Add the cherry tomatoes, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring and gently mashing often, until most of the burst tomatoes have broken open and the mixture is thick, bubbly, and jammy.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the remaining butter until completely melted. Taste and season with more kosher salt if needed.
- Serve: Spoon over cooked pasta with freshly grated parmesan cheese, tuck into a fluffy Boursin cheese omelet, or pile onto toasted crostini with whipped feta and fresh basil. This buttery burst cherry tomato sauce is also delicious over grilled chicken, fish, steak, roasted vegetables, or spooned onto toasted sourdough.
- SAVE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently over low heat before serving.
What to Pair It With
One of the best things about this recipe is how many directions you can take it. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or an easy appetizer, these buttery burst cherry tomatoes fit right in.
My favorite pairing is tossed with cooked pasta, a splash of pasta water, fresh basil, and lots of parmesan cheese for an easy burst tomato pasta. They're also amazing served over creamy scrambled eggs or a Boursin cheese omelet, spooned onto whipped feta crostini, or alongside grilled steak, chicken, shrimp, salmon, or crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of that buttery sauce.
And if you'd like some more easy related recipes, try some of these:
- Trader Joe's Ricotta and Lemon Zest Ravioli with Burst Tomatoes and Burrata
- Ricotta Crostini with Hot Honey Peaches & Prosciutto(
- Jiffy Spoon Bread Recipe with Cheddar Cheese & Candied Jalapenos
- The Ultimate Trader Joe's Ravioli Recipe Roundup
- Zesty Green Goddess Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad
Recipe
Buttery Burst Cherry Tomatoes (Easy Sauce or Topping!)
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- 1 stick Salted butter (½ cup)
- 6 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 6 cloves Garlic thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes or more to taste
Instructions
- Melt half of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring and gently mashing often until most of the tomatoes have burst and the sauce has thickened.
- Stir in the remaining butter until melted.
- Taste and season with additional kosher salt if needed.
- Serve over cooked pasta with parmesan cheese, spoon over a Boursin cheese omelet, or use as a crostini topping with whipped feta and fresh basil.
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