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BBQ Shotgun Shells Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 110 reviews
  • Author: Lila
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 32 pieces 1x

Description

BBQ Shotgun Shells are a delicious, hearty appetizer featuring manicotti pasta shells stuffed with a savory mix of ground beef and Italian sausage, cream cheese, shredded Colby Jack, and spices. Wrapped in crispy bacon and slathered in smoky barbecue sauce, these flavorful bites are perfect for grilling, smoking, baking, or air frying. Ideal for game day or gatherings, they combine cheesy, meaty goodness with a smoky finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 16 oz manicotti shells

Meat Filling

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese (or sharp cheddar cheese)
  • 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 2 jalapeños, minced (seeds removed for mild heat)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (divided)

Wrap

  • 1 lb thick-cut bacon

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pasta: Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the manicotti shells. Boil for 3 minutes only, then drain and rinse under cold water. Separate the shells carefully to prevent sticking or collapsing. Avoid over-boiling to keep noodles firm.
  2. Make the Meat Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and Italian sausage until evenly mixed. Add shredded cheese, room temperature cream cheese, ½ cup of BBQ sauce, minced jalapeños, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  3. Stuff the Shells: Using your hands, gently fill each manicotti shell with the meat mixture, ensuring the filling reaches the center without creating air pockets. Adding the mixture from one side helps fill the center properly.
  4. Wrap with Bacon & Sauce: Wrap a piece of thick-cut bacon tightly around each stuffed shell. Then, brush each bacon-wrapped shell with BBQ sauce generously.
  5. Cooking Method Choice – Grilling: If using a gas grill, preheat to 300°F and turn off burners on half the grill to create indirect heat. For charcoal grills, arrange charcoal to one side, keeping the fire around 300°F. Place shells on the cooler side, brush with BBQ sauce again, and cover the grill.
  6. Grill and Flip: Cook for 15 minutes on the indirect side, then flip shells over, brush with BBQ sauce, and continue cooking for another 10 to 15 minutes until bacon crisps and internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  7. Cooking Method Choice – Smoking: Preheat smoker to 250°F. Smoke the shotgun shells for 60 minutes, brushing with BBQ sauce halfway through.
  8. Flip and Continue Smoking: After 60 minutes, flip the shells over, apply more BBQ sauce, then smoke for an additional 30 minutes.
  9. Final Smoking Stage: Brush shells once more with BBQ sauce and smoke for a further 20 to 30 minutes until bacon crisps and internal temperature hits 160°F.
  10. Cooking Method Choice – Oven Baking: Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Arrange shells evenly to allow air circulation.
  11. Bake and Sauce: Bake for 20 minutes, flip shells, brush with BBQ sauce, bake another 15 minutes, flip again, brush with sauce, and bake for 5 to 10 more minutes until bacon is crispy and temperature reaches 160°F. If bacon isn’t crispy enough, broil briefly while watching carefully.
  12. Cooking Method Choice – Air Fryer: Place 5 to 6 shells in air fryer basket set to 300°F. Cook in batches.
  13. Air Fry and Sauce: Cook shells for 10 minutes, flip and brush with BBQ sauce, cook 10 more minutes, flip and brush with sauce again, then cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until bacon crisps and internal temperature reaches 160°F.

Notes

  • Do not over-boil the manicotti noodles to prevent sogginess.
  • Remove jalapeño seeds to control spiciness according to your preference.
  • Ensure bacon is wrapped tightly to prevent unraveling during cooking.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety.
  • You can switch between grilling, smoking, baking, or air frying depending on your available equipment.
  • If baking, broil at the end to crisp bacon if desired, but watch closely to avoid burning.
  • These are great as party appetizers or hearty snacks for gatherings.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: BBQ Shotgun Shells, stuffed manicotti, bacon wrapped appetizer, grilled appetizer, barbecue, party snacks, summer grilling, smoky bacon recipe

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Find it online: https://plumandpan.com/bbq-shotgun-shells-recipe/