I think rinsing your pasta for this recipe is totally optional! Many people say that the only time you should rinse pasta is if you are making a cold pasta salad, like this.  This is because the starch on the pasta, which is rinsed off, is what helps sauces stick to the noodle. If you think rinsing your pasta even for a pasta salad is a major no-go then don’t do it! If you don’t mind, go ahead! It can provide multiple benefits, although you should be fine without them.   Rinsing the pasta under water will stop the cooking process which prevents mushy pasta.  It also removes the starch mentioned above, which could help prevent any salad ingredients from sticking or clumping up. It is also a great way to cool down your pasta for a chilled salad if you don’t want any ingredients to melt when combined with it.  Like the cheese!