Jason's Cheese and Rice

This recipe was given to me by my friend Jason and with the ok I had to share it as it is sooo good and you can easily change it up!

You will need cooked white rice, bacon, Velveeta cheese, cans of different veggies, mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup and butter.

You will first want to start your rice.  I cook mine in the microwave.  It will be 3 1/2 cups instant uncooked white rice and 3 1/2 cups water and microwave loosely covered for 5 minutes (unless your directions for time say otherwise).  While that is cooking cut up about 12 pieces of pre-cooked bacon into small pieces. 

Once the rice is done remove from the microwave and leave covered  for at least 5 minutes.  While that is setting you will want to start melting 16oz of Velveeta cheese, make sure you cook this slowly and on a lower heat so you don't scorch the cheese.  Once it starts to soften you will want to stir it every so often.

While the cheese is melting you will mix together in a large bowl; 3 15oz cans of your choice of veggies (I used green beans, corn and mixed veggies this time) making sure to drain them completely, about a 1/2 cup of cooked broccoli, 1 8oz can of mushrooms (the stems and pieces) completely drain them also, 1 26oz can of cream of mushroom soup and your cut up bacon.  I did cut some of the larger green beans in half and I also cut up the mushrooms a little more. 

Once the cheese is melted pour in and start adding your cooked rice.  While you are mixing this all up melt a stick of butter then add to the mixture.  Put in about half the rice at first, mix up and then add almost the rest of it.  I usually have maybe a 1/2 cup of the cooked rice left over.  Mix everything very well.

Spray a 9x13 glass pan with cooking spray.  Easiest way I have found to get it in the pan is by using a 1 cup measuring cup until you get down to most of it in the pan and then you can use your scrapper to get it all.  As you can see it will be a full pan with just a little bit of room at the top.  Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 45 minutes.  I like to take the foil off for the last 5 minutes.

All done!  As you see it does puff up a little so it is good to have that little bit of space when you fill the pan but you will use all the mixture.

Scoop up a bowl and enjoy!

You can change this up with the veggies you pick.  You can also use shredded chicken instead of bacon or with the bacon.  You can also leave out the bacon.  Whatever you do enjoy.  I have made this many times and different ways so have fun with it!