Colorful Veggie Medley

Name: Colorful Veggie Medley
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, cooked and drained; 1 (10 ounce) package frozen cut green beans, thawed; 1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed; 1 (6 ounce) package frozen pea pods, thawed; 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced carrots; 2 celery ribs, sliced; 1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained; 1/2 cup chopped green pepper; 3 tablespoons butter or margarine; 3 tablespoons sugar; 3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper