Description
Smoked shotgun shells, a mouthwatering BBQ delicacy from Texas, blend spicy sausage and creamy cheese wrapped in crispy bacon. Meat enthusiasts find this hearty recipe irresistible and perfect for grilling gatherings with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, sausage, or mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup cream cheese (softened)
- 12–15 slices bacon (thin-cut, for easier wrapping)
- 1 box (8 oz) manicotti shells (uncooked)
- 2 tbsps BBQ sauce (plus more for basting)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly blend ground meat, shredded cheese, cream cheese, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings into a uniform, flavorful filling.
- Stuffing: Carefully fill manicotti shells with the meat mixture, ensuring complete coverage without damaging the pasta’s structure.
- Wrapping: Encase each stuffed shell meticulously with bacon, securing tightly to maintain shape and prevent unraveling.
- Chilling: Refrigerate prepared shells for 1-2 hours to allow bacon to adhere and pasta to soften, enhancing overall texture and flavor integration.
- Smoking Setup: Preheat smoker to 250°F, selecting hickory or applewood chips to infuse a rich, aromatic smokiness into the dish.
- Smoking Process: Position bacon-wrapped shells on smoker grates, allowing them to smoke for one hour to develop deep, complex flavor profiles.
- Finishing Touch: Liberally baste shells with BBQ sauce, then increase smoker temperature to 300°F for an additional 30-45 minutes until bacon crisps and internal meat reaches 165°F.
- Serving: Let smoked shotgun shells rest briefly, removing toothpicks to allow internal juices to redistribute and stabilize the dish’s temperature before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Shell Breakage: Handle manicotti shells gently and avoid overfilling to maintain structural integrity during cooking and smoking.
- Bacon Wrapping Technique: Stretch bacon slightly while wrapping to ensure even coverage and secure with toothpicks to prevent unraveling during smoking.
- Meat Temperature Safety: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F, eliminating any potential foodborne risks.
- Wood Chip Selection: Choose mild wood chips like applewood for a subtle smoky flavor that complements the meat without overpowering other ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg