Chinese Mystery Casserole

This is from my MIL's recipe box. It's a childhood fave of my hubby's. The "mystery" is that all the liquid required cooks down to make a delicious casserole.

• Ready In: 1 hr 35 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons  oil (optional)
• 1  lb hamburger
• 1  onion, diced
• 1  cup  diced celery
• 1 (10 3/4ounce) can  cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10 3/4ounce) can  cream of mushroom soup
• 1 1⁄2 cups water
• 1⁄2 cup  uncooked rice
• 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (14 ounce) can  chop suey vegetables, drained
• 1 (5 ounce) can  chow mein noodles

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
2. Brown ground beef and onion in oil.
3. Combine all ingredients in a huge bowl, and transfer to a 9x13 pan.
4. Bake covered for 30 minutes.
5. Bake UNcovered for 30 minutes.
6. Sprinkle the chow mein noodles on top of casserole, and bake for 15 minutes more.