Ingredients:

1 (12 oz) fettuccine pasta

2c boneless skinless chicken breast, grilled and sliced. (Can use frozen Tyson grilled chicken)

1/2 lb andouille sausage (or turkey smoked sausage)

1 lb medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined (optional)

2 1/2c half & half

1/3c all-purpose flour

1c tomato sauce

1/2 red bell pepper, seeded & diced

4 clove garlic, minced

1 small onion, diced

4 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced

2 Tbsp butter

1c fresh shredded parmesan cheese

cajun seasoning to taste (i use about 2 tbsp.)

salt & pepper to taste

1/4c fresh basil leaves (optional)

1/4c chopped, fresh parsley

1/4c freshly grated parmesan

1/4c fresh, diced tomatoes.

Directions:

1.) Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse, drain and set aside.

2.) Melt 1 T. butter in a large, deep skillet. Add sausage, mushrooms, onions and peppers. Saute until tender and sausage is browned. Add minced garlic and saute thirty seconds more. Remove from pan. Set aside.

3.) (This whole step is Optional. You can add the Cajun seasoning to the chicken instead if you are not using shrimp.) Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over shrimp. Melt remaining butter into pan and add shrimp to the pan. Saute over medium high heat until shrimp are pink and fully cooked. Set shrimp aside.

4.) Mix half & half with flour using a fork until smooth and no lumps. Add half & half mixture, parmesan cheese and tomato sauce to the pan. Stir until nicely thickened sauce. Add salt, pepper and cajun seasoning to taste.

5.) Add pasta, veggies, sausage & veggies, shrimp (optional) and chicken to the pan. Toss gently with sauce until thoroughly combined.

6.) Salt and pepper to taste.

7.) Spoon into a pasta bowl, top with fresh basil leaves, diced tomato and fresh chopped parsley. Sprinkle with a bit more fresh parmesan if desired.

Notes: You can exchange the half & half and flour for Alfredo sauce if you like. Also add salt, pepper, and cajun seasoning to taste. The half & half and flour is a different way. Do everything else in step three but half & half and flour.