Yes, there are a few reasons why; 1. Stops the Cooking Process and prevents the pasta from becoming overcooked or mushy. This is particularly important for pasta salads, where you want the pasta to have a firm texture. 2. Cools the Pasta which is important when making a cold pasta salad. Chilling the pasta rapidly prevents it from continuing to cook and helps maintain its texture. 3. Removes Excess Starch from the surface, which can make it sticky. This will help it have a more pleasant texture and doesn't clump together.