Smoked Shotgun Shells

Dive into the world of gourmet home cooking with these Savory Smoked Shotgun Shells. Each bite is a delightful mix of creamy cheese, spicy Italian sausage, and the rich taste of smoked bacon, all wrapped up in a tender manicotti shell. This dish combines the comfort of Italian pasta with the bold flavors of a classic barbecue, making it a unique and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• Mixture:
  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 4 oz Mozzarella cheese
  • 4 oz Cream cheese
  • 2 tsp Barbecue rub
• Shotgun Shells:
  • 12 Manicotti shells
  • 1 lb Bacon
  • 1/2 cup Barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup Barbecue rub

Directions:

1. Allow the cream cheese to reach room temperature. Shred the mozzarella cheese and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix the sausage, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and 2 tsp of barbecue rub.
3. Fill a piping bag with the mixture and pipe into uncooked manicotti shells, filling each half at a time.
4. Wrap each shell completely in bacon.
5. Place the wrapped shells on a wire rack over a sheet pan, and generously apply barbecue rub.
6. Rest for 4 hours to overnight.
7. Smoke at 250°F, away from the heat source, for 1 hour, turning after 30 minutes.
8. Increase heat to 350°F, cook for 15 minutes to crisp the bacon.
9. Glaze with barbecue sauce, continue cooking at 350°F for another 15 minutes.
10. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Total Time: 6 hours | Kcal: 520 | Servings: 4