Chow Mein..Oven Baked

Fall is on it's way and that's when comfort foods like this one come to mind. Today it's cloudy and dreary so a perfect time to cook this meal for supper.
It is also a great dish to make for company, once it's assembled you stick it in the oven and you have time to set a nice table.

• 1 pound ground beef, lean
• 2 large stalks of celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped (this is really good without the onion:)
• 1/2 cup rice, uncooked
• 1 1/4 cups boiling water
• 1 can cream of chicken or mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1/4 cup water chestnuts, drained and chopped
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 1/2 cups chow mein noodles

1. In a skillet over medium high heat, cook ground beef, celery, green pepper, and onion (if you choose to use it) until ground beef is lightly browned. Drain excess grease.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the chow mein noodles.
3. Pour into greased 9" x 13" pan.
4. Cover with foil and bake in a 350º oven for 60 minutes.
5. Stir in half of the chow mein noodles and sprinkle the other half over top.
6. Serve immediately.