* You can use hot (Spanish chorizo or Italian) or mild (Italian) sausage. While pork sausage is preferred, poultry (chicken or turkey) will work, too.
* A tip for neatly breaking up pasta (thanks to Jennifer R) - wrap your pasta in a kitchen towel leaving space at both ends to put your hands. Carefully break the past over the side of your kitchen counter. Once broken, open the towel over the pot of water. All the pasta should go into the pot and not on your kitchen counter like it used for me before I learned this tip.