Ground Beef, Veggie & Rice Bake

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
• 1 medium zucchini (i use grilled peppers, 8 ounces)
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups milk
• 1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1 (3 ounce) package nacho cheese soup mix (2 envelopes)
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)

Recipe

• 1 cook the rice according to package directions.
• 2 meanwhile, in a large skillet cook ground beef, celery & onion until beef is brown & veggies are tender (drain fat).
• 3 trim the ends from the zucchini & cut it in half lengthwise then slice crosswise. you can use any veggie(s) really, i like this with grilled peppers myself.
• 4 in a 13x9x2 inch baking dish combine meat mixture, rice, zucchini, tomatoes, milk, mushrooms, soup mix, basil & pepper (i tend to add chili powder too). mix well.
• 5 bake, covered, at 375 for 30-35 minutes or until heated through.
• 6 you may add the shredded cheddar during the last few minutes of cooking or use as a topping before serving.
• 7 stir before serving.