Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your penne or fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander and let it cool for a few minutes.

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, and your choice of fresh mozzarella pearls or cubed mozzarella. Gently toss the ingredients together.

Spoon a generous amount of basil pesto over the pasta mixture, ensuring that every piece gets coated. Gently fold the pesto into the ingredients until everything is well mixed.

Drizzle a splash of extra virgin olive oil over the mixed salad for added richness. Toss the salad once more to ensure the olive oil is evenly distributed.

Place the Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad in a serving bowl or individual plates. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of cracked pepper if desired.