I rinse the pasta and then I make sure it is fully cooled before I add anything. If I'm not in a hurry I let the cooked pasta sit on the counter, uncovered, until it is room temperature and then I place it in the refrigerator until it is fully cooled. Once it's cooled, I add the dressing. If I am in a hurry, I put it right into the refrigerator, I take it out every 15 minutes and stir it so the cooler noodles fold into the warmer ones. I do this for an hour and then dress it.