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Hand holding smoked shotgun shell.
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5 from 2 votes

Smoked Shotgun Shells

If you're looking for a delicious appetizer, you have to try smoked shotgun shells. This recipe includes five different filling options.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 14
Author: Christie Vanover

Ingredients

  • 1 lb bratwursts
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup cabbage shredded
  • 2 tbsp white onion diced
  • 1 tbsp stone ground mustard
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, garlic
  • 14 manicotti or cannelloni shells uncooked
  • 14 slices bacon
  • 1 tsp BBQ Rub

For Dipping

  • 1/3 cup stone ground mustard

Instructions

  • Mix: Remove the bratwurst from the casings. In a large bowl, mix the meat with the cheese, cabbage, onion, mustard and salt, pepper, garlic.
  • Stuff: Stuff the mixture into the uncooked manicotti shells.
  • Wrap: Wrap each shell with a slice of bacon.
  • Chill: Place on a sheet pan, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least six hours or overnight. This is an important step to soften the uncooked shells.
  • Heat smoker: Heat the smoker to 300F degrees. 
  • Smoke: Sprinkle your favorite BBQ rub on all sides. Place the shotgun shells on the smoker over indirect heat and cook for 1 hour, flipping halfway.
  • Dip: Serve with spicy mustard for dipping.

Video

Notes

If you don't have pre-mixed SPG (salt, pepper, garlic), you can use 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic. 
This recipe can be made with any type of ground meat and shredded cheese. You can also omit the cabbage and onion or add other veggies like mushrooms or jalapenos. Here are a few other ideas.
  • Classic: Use ground beef, Monterey Jack cheese and diced onions. Brush with barbecue sauce.
  • Southwest: Use chorizo, pepper jack cheese or Oaxaca cheese, diced onion and jalapeno peppers. Brush with raspberry chipotle sauce after one hour.
  • Breakfast: Use breakfast sausage with cheddar cheese. Brush with maple syrup after one hour.
  • Italian: Use Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese and diced onions. Don't brush with sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese after you remove it from the grill. Serve with marinara.

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 774mg | Potassium: 213mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg