Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Rigatoni (Shotgun Shells)

#### **3. Stuff the Shells**
Use a small spoon or piping bag to carefully fill each rigatoni with the meat mixture. It takes a little patience, but it’s worth it!

#### **4. Wrap in Bacon**
Take a slice of bacon and wrap it around each stuffed rigatoni. One slice per shell usually does the trick. Make sure the bacon fully wraps the noodle to seal in the filling.

#### **5. Let Them Rest**
For best results, refrigerate the wrapped shells for at least **4 hours or overnight**. This allows the pasta to absorb some moisture from the meat mixture, so it softens perfectly during cooking.

#### **6. Cook to Perfection**
**Grill:** Preheat your grill to medium heat (around 350°F). Grill the shells, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and the meat is cooked through — about **30–40 minutes**.
**Oven:** Bake at 375°F on a wire rack over a baking sheet for **35–40 minutes**.

During the last 5–10 minutes, brush with **BBQ sauce** and let it caramelize for that sticky, smoky glaze.

—

### 🤤 The Result?

You get a perfectly bite-sized bundle of flavor: crispy bacon on the outside, juicy beef and melted cheese on the inside, all wrapped around a perfectly tender rigatoni shell. Serve them as an appetizer, main dish, or party snack — but fair warning: they disappear *fast.*

—

### 🔄 Variations to Try:

– **Spicy Kick**: Add crushed red pepper or use spicy sausage in the filling.
– **Tex-Mex Twist**: Swap cheddar for pepper jack, and season the meat with taco seasoning.
– **Italian Style**: Add a spoonful of marinara on top before serving, or use Italian sausage with mozzarella and basil inside.

—

### 🥳 Final Thoughts

**Bacon-Wrapped Shotgun Shells** are everything you love about comfort food, BBQ, and pasta — all in one unforgettable bite. They’re impressive to serve, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to be a hit whether you’re hosting a game day, a backyard BBQ, or just want something fun for dinner.

So next time you’re in the mood to wow your crowd (or just yourself), grab some rigatoni and bacon and give this recipe a shot — pun totally intended. 🎯🔥

—

**Craving more viral-worthy comfort food?** I can whip up variations, sides to pair, or even dessert ideas to round out your feast! Just let me know. 🍽️✨