Smoked Shotgun Shells

Introduction

Smoked Shotgun Shells are a fun and delicious barbecue dish that has become very popular among BBQ lovers. Despite the name, there are no real shotgun shells involved. The recipe uses large pasta tubes that look similar to shotgun shells when they are stuffed and smoked. These pasta tubes are filled with a tasty mixture of meat, cheese, and seasonings. Then they are wrapped in bacon and slowly smoked until they become rich, smoky, and perfectly tender.

The result is a flavorful bite with crispy bacon on the outside and juicy, cheesy filling inside. They are perfect for cookouts, game nights, family gatherings, or weekend barbecues. The recipe is simple and beginner-friendly, so even if you are new to smoking food, you can still make a great batch. With the right ingredients and a little patience, you will have a dish that everyone will want to try again.

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Cooking Time & Prep Time

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Resting Time (to soften pasta): 4–6 hours or overnight
• Cooking Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: About 1 hour 25 minutes (not including resting time)

Tip: Allowing the stuffed shells to rest before cooking helps the pasta soften and cook evenly in the smoker.

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Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make about 12 smoked shotgun shells:

• 12 large manicotti pasta shells
• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ pound Italian sausage
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon BBQ seasoning or rub
• 12 slices thin bacon
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
• Wood chips or pellets for smoking (hickory or applewood works well)

Optional toppings:

• Chopped green onions
• Extra shredded cheese

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and Italian sausage. Add the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Mix everything together well using a spoon or your hands. The mixture should be soft and evenly blended.

Tip: Soft cream cheese mixes much easier with the meat.

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2. Fill the Pasta Shells

Take one uncooked manicotti shell and carefully stuff it with the meat mixture. You can use your fingers or a small spoon to push the filling inside.

Make sure the shell is fully packed from both ends.

Repeat until all shells are filled.

Tip: Do not cook the pasta before filling it. The pasta will soften during smoking.

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3. Wrap with Bacon

Take one slice of bacon and wrap it around each stuffed shell. Cover as much of the shell as possible so the bacon keeps the pasta moist while cooking.

If needed, you can slightly stretch the bacon while wrapping.

Place the wrapped shells on a tray.

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4. Season and Rest

Sprinkle BBQ seasoning over the bacon-wrapped shells.

Brush a small amount of BBQ sauce over each shell.

Cover the tray with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 4–6 hours or overnight. This step allows the pasta to soften slightly from the filling.

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5. Prepare the Smoker

Preheat your smoker to 250°F (120°C).

Add wood chips or pellets such as hickory, applewood, or cherry wood for good flavor.

Lightly oil the smoker grates to prevent sticking.

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6. Smoke the Shotgun Shells

Place the shells directly on the smoker grates.

Smoke them for 60 minutes.

After about 40 minutes, brush more BBQ sauce over the bacon. This gives the shells a sticky, sweet glaze.

Continue cooking until the bacon is crispy and the meat inside reaches 165°F (74°C).

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7. Let Them Rest

Remove the shells from the smoker and let them rest for 5 minutes.

This allows the juices inside to settle and makes them easier to eat.

Serve warm and enjoy!

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Tips & Variations

This recipe is flexible, and you can easily change it to suit your taste.

Use different meats:
Instead of ground beef and sausage, try ground turkey, chicken, or even pulled pork.

Add vegetables:
Finely chopped mushrooms, peppers, or onions can be mixed into the filling for extra flavor.

Make it spicy:
Add chili flakes, hot sauce, or jalapeños if you like heat.

Vegetarian option:
Replace the meat with a mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella.

Gluten-free option:
Use gluten-free pasta tubes if available.

Cheese variations:
Try mozzarella, pepper jack, or gouda for a different flavor.

Tip: Always avoid overfilling the shells, or the pasta may break.

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Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

One serving equals 2 shotgun shells.

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 24g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fat: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 820mg

These numbers may change depending on the ingredients you use.

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Health Benefits

Although Smoked Shotgun Shells are a comfort food, they still provide some nutritional value.

High in protein:
Ground meat and cheese provide a good amount of protein, which helps build muscles and keep you full longer.

Energy from carbohydrates:
The pasta gives your body energy, which is helpful if you are active.

Healthy fats:
Cheese and meat contain fats that help your body absorb important vitamins.

Calcium from cheese:
Cheese provides calcium, which supports strong bones and teeth.

To make the dish healthier, you can use lean meat, turkey bacon, or add vegetables to the filling.

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Serving Suggestions

Smoked Shotgun Shells are best served hot and fresh from the smoker.

They work great as:

• A BBQ appetizer
• A game day snack
• A main dish with sides

Good side dishes include:

• Coleslaw
• Grilled corn
• Potato salad
• Garlic bread
• Fresh green salad

For extra flavor, serve them with additional BBQ sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.

Storing leftovers:
Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating tip:
Warm them in an oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 10 minutes. This keeps the bacon crispy.

You can also freeze them for up to 2 months.

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Conclusion

Smoked Shotgun Shells are a creative and tasty barbecue recipe that is sure to impress your family and friends. The combination of smoky bacon, cheesy filling, and tender pasta makes every bite rich and satisfying. Even though they look fancy, they are actually simple to prepare with just a few ingredients.

Whether you are hosting a backyard cookout, watching a big game, or just trying something new on the smoker, this recipe is a great choice. With the tips and variations above, you can also customize the flavors to suit your taste.

Give this recipe a try the next time you fire up your smoker. Once you taste these smoky, cheesy bites, they might become one of your favorite BBQ dishes to make and share. Enjoy cooking and happy smoking!