St Paul's Rice

I got this recipe from a friend I worked with long ago and have been serving it for years. It is great with chicken or pork. I like it all by itself. Leftovers are great. In fact, I just put one in the oven.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1  lb  hot spicy breakfast sausage
• 1⁄2 cup rice
• 2 (1 1/4ounce) envelopes  lipton dry  chicken noodle soup mix
• 1  large green pepper, diced
• 1  large onion, diced
• 1  cup  thinly sliced celery (optional)
• 4 1⁄2 cups water

Directions

1. Crumble sausage and brown in skillet or microwave until no longer pink. Drain and break up with fork until crumbled.
2. Bring 4 1/2 cups of water to a boil, add rice and chicken soup mix, cook for 7 minutes.
3. Add all ingredients into a large greased casserole dish and mix well. Cook uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.