Smoked Shotgun Shells Recipe That’s Bold and Hearty

Smoked shotgun shells pack a seriously delicious punch that upgrades ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

These crispy, meat-filled pasta tubes offer a mouthwatering twist on traditional barbecue fare.

Wrapped in bacon and packed with savory goodness, they represent a bold invitation to elevate your grilling game.

Crafted with passion and precision, these shells deliver a complex flavor profile that surprises and delights hungry guests.

The combination of smoky, spicy, and rich elements creates an irresistible dish that stands out at any gathering.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of textures and tastes that will have everyone asking for your secret.

Your friends and family will be impressed by this innovative approach to comfort food.

Smoked Shotgun Shells Loaded with Sausage and Cheese

• Unleash Bold Flavor Combinations: This recipe combines ground beef, cheese, and bacon with a smoky BBQ twist, creating an explosion of savory tastes that dance on your taste buds.
• Master Easy Crowd-Pleasing Technique: Perfect for backyard gatherings and game day events, these shotgun shells are surprisingly simple to prepare, requiring minimal cooking skills while delivering maximum flavor impact.
• Create Crispy Texture Sensation: The bacon wrapper transforms into a crunchy exterior while keeping the inner meat mixture tender and juicy, providing an irresistible contrast of textures that will have everyone craving more.
• Enjoy Flexible Party-Ready Dish: With just 35 minutes of prep time and ability to serve 28 shells, this recipe becomes an ideal option for large gatherings, potlucks, and casual weekend celebrations where hungry guests expect delicious finger food.

Shotgun Shells Ingredient List

• Ground Beef, Hot Italian Sausage: High-quality meat mixture that provides rich, spicy flavor and hearty texture for the stuffing.
• Bacon: Crispy outer wrapper that adds smoky, salty dimension and creates a delicious protective coating for the shells.

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, tangy flavor and helps bind the filling together with creamy melting properties.
• Cream Cheese: Provides smooth, rich base that helps create a creamy and soft interior texture.

• Onion, Jalapeño: Fresh vegetables that add depth, heat, and aromatic complexity to the meat mixture.
• Slap Ya Mama Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Signature spice blend that introduces robust, zesty, and spicy notes to the dish.
• Barbecue Sauce: Sweet and tangy sauce that adds moisture, flavor, and caramelization during cooking.

• Manicotti Shells: Large pasta tubes perfect for stuffing with flavorful meat and cheese mixture.

Smoking and Baking Shotgun Shells

Step 1: Prepare the Smoker

Set up your smoker and preheat to 250°F, ensuring a consistent temperature for perfect cooking.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Filling

• Ground beef
• Pork sausage
• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheddar
• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Cajun seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 3: Stuff the Pasta Shells

Carefully fill uncooked manicotti shells with the prepared meat mixture, making sure to pack tightly without creating air pockets.

Step 4: Wrap with Bacon

Carefully wrap each stuffed shell completely with bacon strips, covering the entire surface for maximum flavor and crispiness.

Step 5: Add Initial BBQ Glaze

Brush each bacon-wrapped shell generously with BBQ sauce, ensuring complete coverage for a tangy, caramelized exterior.

Step 6: Smoke the Shells

Place bacon-wrapped shells in the preheated smoker, cooking for 1 hour.

Step 7: Flip and Reglaze

Carefully turn each shell and apply another layer of BBQ sauce for extra moisture and flavor.

Step 8: Final Smoking

Continue smoking for an additional hour until bacon is crisp and shells are fully cooked.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Remove shells from smoker, let rest for a few minutes, and serve hot.

Prep Time: 35 mins | Cooking Time: 2 hrs | Total Time: 2 hrs 35 mins | Servings: 28 Wrapped Shells | Calories: 288 kcal

Pro Tips for Smoked Shotgun Shells

• Prevent Shell Cracking: Cook manicotti shells al dente to maintain structural integrity during smoking.
• Bacon Wrapping Technique: Stretch bacon slightly while wrapping to ensure complete shell coverage and crispy texture.
• Filling Consistency Matters: Mix ingredients thoroughly and pack tightly to eliminate air pockets for even cooking.
• Sauce Application Trick: Use a silicone brush for even BBQ sauce distribution, creating a perfect glaze on each shell.
• Temperature Control: Maintain consistent smoker temperature at 250°F for optimal flavor infusion and bacon crispiness.

Storing and Reheating Shotgun Shells

• Refrigerate: Store cooled Shotgun Shells in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining their delicious flavor and texture.
• Freeze: Wrap individual shells tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen Shotgun Shells will stay fresh for 2-3 months, perfect for quick future meals.
• Reheat: Warm shells in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Brush with extra BBQ sauce to restore moisture and crisp up the bacon, ensuring a mouthwatering second serving that tastes just as incredible as the first.

Pairing Suggestions for Shotgun Shells

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel to match the smoky, rich flavors of the bacon-wrapped shells. The wine's tannins will cut through the fatty bacon and complement the spicy meat mixture.
• Serve with Tangy Coleslaw: Create a crisp, acidic side dish that balances the heavy, smoky main course. The creamy, vinegar-based slaw will refresh the palate and provide a light contrast to the intense shotgun shells.
• Add Grilled Corn Salad: Prepare a summer-style corn salad with fresh herbs and a light dressing. The sweet, charred corn kernels will echo the smoky notes of the dish while adding a bright, fresh element to the plate.
• Cool Down with Craft Beer: Select an IPA or smoky porter that can stand up to the intense flavors. The beer's hoppy or roasted malt characteristics will enhance the BBQ and smoked elements of the shotgun shells.

Shotgun Shell Variations

• Mexican Fiesta Shells: Swap ground beef with seasoned chorizo, add diced jalapeños, and use pepper jack cheese for a spicy southwestern kick.
• Vegetarian Delight: Replace meat with black beans, roasted corn, and quinoa, using vegetable broth and plant-based cheese for a protein-packed alternative.
• Mediterranean Medley: Incorporate ground lamb, feta cheese, spinach, and Greek herbs like oregano and mint, wrapping with prosciutto instead of bacon for a European-inspired version.
• Breakfast Bombs: Fill shells with scrambled eggs, crumbled breakfast sausage, and cheddar cheese, wrapping with maple-glazed bacon for a morning-friendly rendition.

Smoked Shotgun Shells Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Smoked shotgun shells pack a spicy, meaty punch with jalapeño-infused cream cheese and seasoned ground beef wrapped in crispy bacon. Grilled to smoky perfection, these appetizers deliver bold flavors that will have guests craving more at your next gathering.

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Ingredients

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Smoked Shotgun Shells

Meat and Protein:

• 1½ pounds ground beef
• 1 pound hot Italian sausage
• (2) 16 ounces (907 grams) packages bacon

Cheese and Dairy:

• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
• 6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese

Shells, Seasonings, and Additional Ingredients:

• (2) 8 ounces (227 grams) boxes manicotti shells
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 jalapeño, finely diced
• 2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ⅓ cup barbecue sauce, plus additional for coating

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Instructions

1. Preheat the smoker to a consistent 250°F, ensuring an even temperature for optimal cooking.
2. Create a robust filling by thoroughly combining ground meat, cheese, and seasonings in a spacious mixing bowl, blending until the mixture reaches a uniform consistency.
3. Carefully select pasta shells, gently filling each tube with the prepared mixture, using gentle pressure to eliminate any potential air gaps that might compromise the texture.
4. Meticulously wrap each filled shell with bacon, creating a crisp exterior that will develop a beautiful caramelized coating during smoking.
5. Generously brush the bacon-wrapped shells with tangy BBQ sauce, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
6. Place the prepared shells in the smoker, allowing them to cook undisturbed for the first hour, developing a rich smoky essence.
7. Carefully flip the shells midway through cooking, applying an additional layer of BBQ sauce to enhance moisture and intensify the flavor profile.
8. Continue smoking for another hour until the bacon becomes perfectly crisp and the filling reaches a safe internal temperature.
9. Remove from the smoker and let rest briefly, allowing the flavors to settle and the exterior to achieve maximum crispiness.
10. Serve immediately, presenting these indulgent smoked delicacies as a show-stopping appetizer or main course.

Notes

• Stuffing shells tightly prevents filling from leaking during smoking process.
• Bacon wrapping adds crispy texture and extra flavor dimension to the dish.
• Rotate shells midway through smoking ensures even cooking and caramelization of BBQ sauce glaze.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Smoking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 690
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1100 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg