Boil a large pot of salted water over high heat. Once boiling, add short pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and cool slightly.

Prepare ingredients: Dice fresh mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and halve sweet cherry tomatoes. Gather any additional ingredients like grilled chicken or seasonal veggies.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, mozzarella, and halved cherry tomatoes. Add basil pesto and toss gently to coat evenly.

Drizzle olive oil over the salad and season with salt and pepper. Toss again to incorporate flavors.

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for better flavor.