30 Smoked Shotgun Shell Recipes That Will Make the Perfect Cookout Appetizer! 

December 10, 2024
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Smoked shotgun shells went viral on social media a while ago and this may have gotten you thinking about whipping up your own batch. Well, you will be happy to know that there are quite a few smoked shotgun shell recipes for you to choose from. Just check out this extensive list! 

Smoked Shotgun Shells

1. Simple Smoked Shotgun Shells 

This is the recipe if you are looking for a basic but delicious smoked shotgun shell recipe! Here, you mix ground beef with Monterey Jack cheese and barbecue rub. Pipe or stuff this into uncooked manicotti shells and wrap the shells in bacon. Then, smoke on low for a while before increasing the temperature. Brush the shells with barbecue sauce and smoke for a little longer !

Get the recipe here

Simple Smoked Shotgun Shells

2. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Beef and Italian Sausage 

Want an even meatier smoked shotgun shell recipe? Well, you have found it! Here, both ground beef and Italian sausage are mixed in with cream cheese and cheddar cheese before being stuffed into the manicotti shells. Wrap in bacon, drizzle with barbecue rub, rest, and smoke. Turn up the heat, brush with barbecue sauce and smoke until the glaze sets! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Beef and Italian Sausage

3. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Pork Sausage 

Not a fan of beef or just want to switch things up? Well, then this is the recipe for you. Here, you swap out ground beef for pork sausage. Mix this with cheddar cheese and barbecue rub, stuff in shells, and wrap in bacon. Smoke, glaze, and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Pork Sausage

4. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Mozzarella 

This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants their shotgun shells to be a bit more gooey. These smoked shells also boast a lot of flavor since the recipe calls for Italian sausage. The sausage and mozzarella are mixed with cream cheese and rub. The shells are stuffed with this filling, wrapped in bacon, tossed in more rub, rested, and smoked with the glaze putting the finishing touches on the shell. 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Mozzarella

5. Spiced Smoked Shotgun Shells

This is the recipe to check out if you want to add even more flavor to the smoked shotgun shells! The key here is to go all out with the barbecue rubs - the choice is up to you! Choose a smoky, spicy chipotle rub or go for something sweeter if you like. For even more flavor, choose two different rubs - one for the filling and one to drizzle the bacon with! 

Get the recipe here

Spiced Smoked Shotgun Shells

6. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Garlic Parmesan Sauce

There is so much to love about this recipe and it is sure to become a fan favorite in your family! First off, cooked manicotti shells are stuffed with a mixture of hot Italian sausage, mini pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese! The shells are wrapped in bacon, seasoned, and smoked. In the meantime, make up a garlic parmesan butter sauce and brush the shells with this when they are done! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Garlic Parmesan Sauce

7. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Chorizo

Here is another fun way to step up your smoked shotgun shells - add chorizo to the filling! It gives you a chance to add even more flavor and spice to your shells. The pickled jalapenos and pepper jack cheese also pump up the spice while the cream cheese helps to cool things down a little! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Chorizo

8. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Pulled Pork

Have leftover pulled pork? Well, it will work beautifully as a filling for smoked shotgun shells. This isn't the only high point with this recipe, though. The stuffing is super cheesy with three types of cheese in it! The hint of heat comes from the jalapenos and the spicy barbecue sauce! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Pulled Pork

9. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Hot Peppers

Here is another way to add spice to your smoked shotgun shells - mix in some serrano and jalapeno peppers. You can add as little or as much as you want, depending on how much spice you can handle. Hot sausage can also help to take the heat up to the next level!  

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Hot Peppers

10. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Gouda

This is a really flavorful shotgun shell recipe! To start with, you use both sausage and ground beef as well as seasoning the mix with a homemade aromatic rub. Then, you add in gouda as well as cheddar cheese to the filling to really kick up the flavor! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Gouda

11. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Spicy Sweet Glaze

This is a smoked shotgun shell recipe where the outside tastes just as good as the inside! Here, the shotgun shells are stuffed with beef, cheddar cheese, and tons of spices before being stuffed into the shells and wrapped in bacon. As the shells are smoking, make up a glaze with maple syrup, brown sugar, sriracha, and cayenne pepper. Brush this onto the shells just before they are done cooking and let the glaze set! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Spicy Sweet Glaze

12. Fully Loaded Smoked Shotgun Shells

If you want to go all out with your smoked shotgun shells, check out this recipe! It contains everything you could want - two different kinds of meat, tons of cheese, onions, jalapenos, and the most incredible seasonings. This is sure to be a hit at any cookout or game day party! 

Get the recipe here

Fully Loaded Smoked Shotgun Shells

13. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Veggies 

Want to balance out all that meat in your smoked shotgun shells? Well, this is the recipe for you! Here, the beef and cheese are joined by corn, tomatoes, and even scallions. This helps to bump up the flavor and make the filling even more delicious!  

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Veggies

14. Mexican Style Smoked Shotgun Shells

The flavors in these Mexican-inspired shotgun shells are simple but incredible! The chorizo is mixed in with Mexican cheese, garlic, jalapeno, and cajun seasoning. Wrap the shells in bacon and smoke. Brush with spicy barbecue sauce to form a gorgeous glaze on top! 

Get the recipe here

Mexican Style Smoked Shotgun Shells

15. Texas Smoked Shotgun Shells

This is more of a Tex-Mex style shotgun shell recipe but one that is still incredibly delicious! The filling contains beef, spicy sausage, cheese, green chiles, and jalapenos. Ranch dressing flavors the stuffing to really take it to the next level! 

Get the recipe here

Texas Smoked Shotgun Shells

16. Ground Beef and Pork Smoked Shotgun Shells

This is a simple yet effective way to add flavor to your shotgun shells - stuff them with both ground beef as well as ground pork! To spice things up even further, green chiles join the meat, cheese, and spices. Stuff, smoke, and glaze the shotgun shells to perfection!  

Get the recipe here

Ground Beef and Pork Smoked Shotgun Shells

17. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Smoked Pork

This recipe is perfect for when you have leftover smoked pork. Combine the pork with shredded cheese, cream cheese, and barbecue rub to create a truly yummy filling! Add this to the manicotti shells, wrap in bacon, smoke, and glaze! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Smoked Pork

18. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Brisket

This is another unusual but cool filling - brisket! The brisket helps to add a really meaty flavor to the filling along with tons of cheese, some jalapeno, and plenty of seasonings. It is the perfect recipe for truly hearty smoked shotgun shells! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Brisket

19. Four Cheese Smoked Shotgun Shells

These smoked shotgun shells are about as cheesy as you can get! They contain cream cheese, ricotta, cheddar, and mozzarella! This is mixed in with pork sausage and added as a filling to cooked manicotti shells before being wrapped, seasoned, and smoked!  

Get the recipe here

Four Cheese Smoked Shotgun Shells

20. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Smoked Sausage and Pulled Pork

This shotgun shell recipe really brings the flavor! Not only do you have smokiness from the sausage, you have the sweet and spicy elements of pulled pork! This is combined with cheese and fire roasted peppers for the shells! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Smoked Sausage and Pulled Pork

21. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Hot and Sweet Hatch Peppers

Want flavor but also want to keep the filling simple? Well, this recipe has got you covered! Here, ground beef and Italian sausage are combined with hot and sweet hatch peppers as well as onions for some crunch and flavor. Stuff, wrap, and smoke! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Hot and Sweet Hatch Peppers

22. Smoked Venison Shotgun Shells

This recipe is just what you need if you want a shotgun shell that is a bit more exotic. Here, the manicotti shells are stuffed with a mix of ground venison, pork, cheese, jalapeno, and barbecue seasoning. Then, this is wrapped in bacon, sprinkled with more rub before being smoked and then glazed. 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Venison Shotgun Shells

23. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Chile Stew

If you love green chiles, then this is the recipe for you! These ground beef and cream cheese shotgun shells are flavored with roasted green chiles. Then, they are wrapped and smoked. Towards the end of the smoke, each shell is coated in green chile stew for the final touch! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Chile Stew

24. Smoked Buffalo Chicken Shotgun Shells

Prefer chicken to other kinds of meat? Well, then you have to try out this recipe! Here, you can use homemade or store bought buffalo chicken dip - use this as stuffing for a savory and spicy flavor. Then, wrap and smoke - use a ranch dipping sauce to really make a bang! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Buffalo Chicken Shotgun Shells

25. Zesty Smoked Shotgun Shells 

If you want to add a bit of a tang to your smoked shotgun shells, then use a zesty sausage for the filling. The flavor will be subtle but it will make all the difference - it is perfectly complemented by the sharp cheese and aromatics in the filling. Go ahead and give it a try! 

Get the recipe here

Zesty Smoked Shotgun Shells

26. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Ricotta and Spinach 

Looking for an elevated version of the traditional shotgun shells - well, here you have it! These shotgun shells are stuffed with the typical Italian sausage. However, these shells are also filled with an egg, ricotta, parmesan, spinach mix too! So filling and so delicious! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Ricotta and Spinach

27. Smoked Pork Mince Shotgun Shells

This recipe is for pork lovers who want to keep things simple. For this recipe, you only use ground pork as the meat for the filling. This is combined with gouda, parmesan, chilis, and seasoning before being wrapped and smoked! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Pork Mince Shotgun Shells

28. Smoked Nashville Hot Chicken Shotgun Shells

Spicy, smoky, and delicious! Here, chicken thighs are coated in a homemade Nashville hot seasoning and then grilled. The chicken is shredded, added to cheeses, and then used as stuffing. The shells are wrapped and smoked - just before they are done, mix honey and the seasoning and use as a glaze. Serve with homemade ranch. 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Nashville Hot Chicken Shotgun Shells

29. Smoked Shotgun Shells with Sour Cream and Mozzarella 

If you are looking for something light but creamy, this is the recipe for you! Here, mozzarella and sour cream form the creamy base and are added to cooked sausage. This is added to shells that are then wrapped and smoked! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Shotgun Shells with Sour Cream and Mozzarella

30. Dragons Breath Smoked Shotgun Shells 

This is perfect for anyone who likes a little fire with their shotgun shells! To start with, the mix is made from hot sausage and cheese. Then, the bacon is brushed with jalapeno barbecue sauce before it is wrapped around the shells. This barbecue sauce also acts as the glaze at the end! 

Get the recipe here

Dragons Breath Smoked Shotgun Shells

There are so many different ways for you to make smoked shotgun shells! Just check out these recipes to figure out which one sounds like a good fit for you. Or, if you are more on the adventurous side, go ahead and test out all of these recipes for yourself! 

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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