2 pkgs. Lipton chicken noodle soup
2 lbs. bulk sausage (mild)
1 sm. green pepper, chopped
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 1/2 c. celery, chopped
1 (6 1/4 oz.) pkg. UNCLE BEN'S® fast cooking long grain and wild rice
2 c. (2 cans) water chestnuts, quarter and drain
4 c. water
3/4 c. blanched almonds
1 1/2 c. celery, chopped

Brown sausage in 2 big cakes. Do not crumble, just break in bite size. Empty all grease from first cake; drain sausage on towel. Use grease from second cake to saute pepper, onion and celery. Use 2 cups boiling water to prepare rice as directed on package (omitting butter). Use remaining 2 cups boiling water to prepare thick soup.

Combine all ingredients. This preparation may be done in advance and refrigerated overnight (or frozen). Bake in 350 degree oven until warm through and browning or golden on top, about 35 minutes from room temperature.