2 lb bulk Italian sausage (sweet or hot, or a mix)
4 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
4 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 envelopes of dry chicken noodle soup mix
1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed cream of chix soup, undiluted (or use cream of mushroom)
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/4 cup drt bread crumbs
2 T melted butter
Recipe
In a large skillet, cook sausage, celery, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no l onger pink and vegetables are tender; drain. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil; add dry soup mix. Reduce heat, simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until the noodles are tender. Stir in canned soup, rice and sausage mixture; mix well.
Transfer to a greased 13 in x 9 in x 2 in baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Toss bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over rice mixture. Bake uncovered, for 10 minutes more.