Hearty Sausage & Rice Casserole - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb bulk pork sausage
1 (8 ounce) package sliced mushrooms
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 large red pepper, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 large onion, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
1 (6 ounce) box seasoned long grain and wild rice blend
1 3/4 cups swanson chicken stock
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)

Preparation

Cook the sausage in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it's well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.
Add the mushrooms, celery, pepper, onion, thyme, marjoram and seasoning packet from the rice blend to the skillet and cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Stir the sausage mixture, stock, soup, rice blend and 1/2 cup cheese in a 3-quart shallow baking dish. Cover the baking dish.
Bake at 375\u00b0F for 1 hour or until the sausage is cooked through and the rice is tender. Stir the sausage mixture before serving. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Tip: For an extra-special touch, substitute 1 package (8 ounces) baby portobello mushrooms, sliced, for the sliced mushrooms.