I’m always on the hunt for a delicious new recipe to try on the Traeger and these smoked shotgun shells are my new favorite thing! They’re essentially manicotti shells stuffed with glorious pepper jack cheese and sausage, wrapped in bacon, and smothered in Kansas City BBQ sauce.

Oh, and did I mention the optional melty string cheese that takes things to a whole new level of gooey deliciousness?

I always take these mouthwatering tubes of pasta to tailgating parties, but you can easily throw these BBQ shotgun shells on the Traeger for a relaxed mid-week meal that’s packed with smokey goodness.

Whip up some air fryer baked potatoes or grilled potato wedges, and you’ll have a well-balanced plate that’ll have you clamoring for seconds (and thirds!).

Whether you’re looking to create make-ahead BBQ snacks for the kiddos or want to impress your buddies before a major sporting event, these smoked shotgun shells have got you covered. Just don’t blame me when they’re snaffled up in minutes!

💪 Why This Recipe Works

• This recipe is unique, with the optional cheese stuffing for some smoked shotgun shells unlike any other.
  
• It’s loaded with delicious pepper jack cheese and sausage for a distinctive, savory bite.
  
• The steps are foolproof and allow beginners to have tons of fun!
  
• The shells are glazed with sweet and smokey BBQ sauce and wrapped in glorious bacon.
  
• Pre-cooking the manicotti shells gives you the perfect al-dente result, but for quicker preparation, you can cook them starting from raw.
  
• No manicotti? No problem! We give you an alternative preparation with lasagna noodles.
  
• You don’t need much equipment to pull this recipe together.

🍽 Ingredients

Here is a list of ingredients you’ll need to make this. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.

• Manicotti shells. Manicotti shells are great, but if you cannot find them anywhere, you can use lasagna noodles in a pinch!
  
• Ground pork sausage. Try to find meat with a slightly higher fat percentage to keep things moist and flavorful.
  
• Pepper jack cheese. Crucial for adding texture and a spicy flavor to your shotgun shells. This cheese also melts incredibly easily and tastes uber-buttery with a slight kick, making it a perfect choice for this recipe.
  
• Spiceology hickory peach porter rub. This delicious beer-infused rub has chocolate, caramel, and toffee tones that instantly lift the sausage and bacon for the ultimate BBQ flavor.
  
• Salt and pepper. To taste!
  
• Thin-cut bacon. You want to use thin bacon to give your shells that signature crispy texture. Thick-cut bacon just won’t have enough stretch!
  
• Kansas City-style BBQ sauce. The ketchup and molasses in this sauce will give your shotgun shells a sweet and smokey flavor that blends perfectly with the smokiness of the Traeger.
  
• String cheese (optional). For that classic cheese pull! The string cheese works best when using lasagna noodles, so you have extra room for the cheese.

👨‍🍳 How to Make It

These smoked shotgun shells are worth every minute on the Traeger, and it is an easy-to-follow recipe. This guide should give you a decent overview of how to make these shells, but you should scroll down to the printable recipe card for step-by-step instructions for this recipe!

If you cannot find manicotti shells, follow the instructions for lasagna noodles. They work just as wel, but require slightly different instructions.

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
   
2. Preheat your Traeger using your favorite pellets. I like these Traeger Signature pellets.
   
3. While the water boils, combine the sausage, cheese, dry rub seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.

For Manicotti Shells

1. Boil the manicotti shells until slightly soft, about 4 minutes.
   
2. Stuff the shells with the sausage and cheese mixture and wrap them in 1 to 2 slices of thin bacon.

For Lasagna Noodles

1. Boil the lasagna noodles until flexible but still slightly firm, about 10 minutes.
   
2. Portion the sausage mixture into equal amounts and create a cheese-stuffed log. Wrap the cooked lasagna noodle around the log of sausage. Then, wrap the stuffed noodle in 1 to 2 slices of thin bacon.

To Smoke The Shotgun Shells

1. Place the shotgun shells on the Traeger and smoke them for an hour.
   
2. Coat the shells with BBQ sauce (don’t be afraid to go ham with the sauce!).
   
3. Continue to smoke on the Traeger until the sausage is fully cooked and the BBQ sauce is caramelized.
   
4. Remove from the Traeger and serve immediately.

😉 Pro Tips for Success

• Be sure to pre-boil the manicotti shells before stuffing them. It only takes a few extra minutes and makes sure the pasta shells aren’t crunchy when you take them off the Traeger. Obviously, you need to cook the lasagna noodles prior to rolling them around the sausage.
  
• Make sure you coat all sides and ends of the shotgun shells in your delicious BBQ sauce. This will keep the shells and the meat moist, preventing them from drying out and going crispy.
  
• Don’t skimp on the bacon! The bacon adds extra moisture to the pasta as it cooks. So, it’s important not to leave the raw pasta exposed if possible!
  
• Some people like to store the stuffed shotgun shells in the fridge prior to throwing them on the BBQ. You can do this if you like, but I found that as long as they are wrapped in bacon and smothered in BBQ sauce, they come out perfectly!
  
• If you’re after more heat, it’s worth choosing a pepper jack cheese packed with spicy peppers!

❓ FAQ

🎁 Wrap Up

Whether you’ve wanted to pull out your trusty BBQ sauce for a new recipe or simply want to spice up your next tailgating event, this recipe for smoked shotgun shells is bound to fit the bill.

Packed with sweet and smokey flavors, a wonderful slight crunch, and boasting a moist texture, this knockout recipe is bound to please the entire family.

 🛠 Tools and Equipment

If you click on some of the following affiliate links and buy something, we might get a small commission. You don’t pay any extra, but it will help us keep the lights on and our bellies full!

• I am a huge advocate of this Traeger Timberline 1300! It is absolutely massive and gives you enough space to cook up a feast. Don’t forget to grab some of these Traeger signature pellets.
  
• This ThermoWorks Thermapen One is an absolute must-have!
  
• Every BBQ enthusiast and serious home chef needs a Boos butcher block.
  
• This OXO BBQ basting brush for slathering on the sauce.

🤤 More Awesome Recipes

• These air fryer potato wedges are perfectly crisp. They make a great addition to any BBQ spread. Try this variation of air fryer wedges with a cheese crust.
  
• This recipe for Traeger smoked potatoes au gratin is creamy and cheesy and pairs perfectly with the smoked shotgun shells.
  
• We can all use more veggies in our life. Air fryer cauliflower, Traeger smoked asparagus, and air fryer butternut squash are all great options!
  
• Cowboy baked beans are a staple at my barbecues in the summer.

💬 Tell Me What You Think!

Did you try out this recipe? Please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it. Also, snap a picture and post it to your favorite social platform. Be sure to tag me at @alicensetogrill and let me know how you liked it!

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