Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups rotini pasta
• 3 tablespoons pesto, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup halved grape tomatoes
• 1/2 cup small (perlini) fresh mozzarella balls
• 2 fresh basil leaves, finely shredded

Preparation:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, granulated garlic, and black pepper in a bowl; add rotini. Toss to coat. Fold in tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.