Instant Pot Beef Stew Casserole Recipe for Tender, Hearty Meals

Instant Pot beef stew casserole with rice and stew meat is a comforting one-pot meal. With tender beef, rice and vegetables all cooked together, this Ninja Foodi/pressure cooker recipe is easy to prepare and full of flavor.

Instant Pot Beef Stew and Rice Recipe

Chunks of stew meat cook to fork-tender in a savory-sweet sauce, making this an easy crowd-pleaser—kids included. We originally made a similar casserole in the oven with noodles, but this pressure-cooker version uses rice and speeds up the process while delivering equally delicious results.

You can adapt this to other multi-cookers like a Crockpot Express or similar pressure cookers—just follow your model’s directions for sealing and pressure release. Using beef broth instead of water will deepen the flavor; keep bouillon handy if you run out of broth.

I tested this with stew meat from my freezer. If you have chuck roast or steak, cut it into bite-sized pieces and proceed the same way.

Quick and easy casseroles like this are ideal for busy weeknights—everything goes in the pot and you come back to a complete meal.

FAQ

If your beef is frozen, you can adapt the steps by first cooking the frozen stew meat following your pressure cooker’s directions for frozen meat, then drain excess liquid and add the sauce and rice steps described below.

Ingredient Notes

Use about 1.5 lbs of stew meat, or cut a roast or steak into bite-sized pieces. Key components that build flavor:

1. Onion – sliced or diced for savory depth.
2. Garlic & ginger – fresh minced boosts aroma and flavor.
3. Soy sauce – or a gluten-free alternative like liquid aminos.
4. Brown sugar – adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory.
5. Beef broth – preferred over water for richer taste.
6. Rice vinegar – brightens the sauce.
7. Garlic powder – useful if you’re out of fresh garlic.
8. Carrots – peeled and sliced.
9. Celery – optional but a nice textural addition.
10. Mushrooms – baby bellas hold up well without becoming too soft.
11. Uncooked white rice – long-grain yields a light, separate texture.

One-pot Instant Pot casseroles are convenient: add the uncooked rice or noodles during the cook and the cooker does the rest in under 30 minutes.

If you have bulk beef on hand—like stew meat from a larger purchase—this recipe is a great way to use those cuts without waste.

Can you make a casserole with frozen beef?

Yes. Start by pressure-cooking the frozen stew meat according to your cooker’s instructions for frozen meat. After releasing pressure and draining excess liquid, add the sauce ingredients and proceed with the recipe, adding the vegetables and rice in the second stage.

In testing, I didn’t brown the meat first—everything goes into the pot and gets stirred to coat, then it cooks under pressure. There are two pressure-cook stages because the meat needs longer than the rice and vegetables.

How to Make Instant Pot Beef Stew Casserole

Variations

Substitute chicken broth for beef broth in a pinch, or add a splash of Worcestershire for extra depth. If you prefer heat, add Sriracha or chili paste—about 1 tsp adds flavor without overwhelming spice. You can also use diced chuck roast instead of stew meat. For a topping, crispy fried onions add a nice crunch.

Tips

Most important: Do not stir the rice into the liquid. Sprinkle the uncooked rice over the top and gently press it down so it contacts the liquid but remains layered. Stirring can trigger the burn alert or cause uneven cooking. Note: brown rice will require longer pressure-cooking time, so adjust accordingly if you substitute it.