Quick and Easy One-Bowl Cheesy Onion Rice Bake

This dish takes no more than 5 minutes to throw together and when you taste this rice you will eat the whole dish, it is *that* good! you could throw in 2 cups cooked chicken or turkey for a main meal, my family loves spice so I add in some cayenne pepper --- because of the high sodium content in the dry soup mix do *not* to add in any extra salt to this, you could add in the complete package of dry soup mix but for my family's taste we found it to be a little too salty --- all ingredients may be doubled --- this is *delicious*

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 (10 ounce) can  cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 (10 ounce) can  cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
• 2  cups water
• 1 1⁄2  cus milk
• 1⁄2 cup  melted butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1 (1 ounce) package  dry onion soup mix
• 2  cups  uncooked instant Minute Rice
• 1 (10 ounce) can  sliced mushrooms, well drained (can use 2 cans)
• 1  medium onion, finely chopped
• 1  small  stalk celery, finely diced (optional)
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1  teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 2 1⁄2 cups  shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Directions

1. Set oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Set oven rack to second-lowest position.
3. Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
4. In a bowl whisk together the soups with water, milk and melted butter until well combined.
5. Add in all remaining ingredients including 1-1/2 cups shredded cheese, save the remaining cup to sprinkle on the top; mix to combine.
6. Pour into greased baking dish.
7. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender.
8. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheese on top and return to oven for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
9. Delicious!