Easy & Cheesy BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells: Your New Favorite Comfort Food Dinner
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with these incredible BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells! This recipe transforms humble leftover pulled pork into a magnificent, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying dinner. Jumbo pasta shells are generously filled with a creamy, savory mixture of tender pulled pork, shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and a blend of cheeses, then baked to golden perfection and finished with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food that promises a delightful sweet and savory symphony in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells Recipe
My culinary journey has recently led me down a delightful path of stuffing jumbo pasta shells with every conceivable deliciousness, much like my long-standing affection for creative pizzas and gourmet crepes. When you combine this passion with the sheer ease and versatility of pulled pork, the result is nothing short of spectacular. These BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells are a testament to how simple ingredients can create an unbelievably flavorful and memorable meal.
This recipe truly shines for several reasons:
- Effortless Elegance: It looks impressive but requires minimal effort, especially if you’re using pre-made or leftover pulled pork.
- Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The combination of smoky pulled pork, creamy cheese, and sweet BBQ sauce creates a harmonious balance of flavors that’s deeply satisfying.
- Perfect for Leftovers: It’s an ingenious way to repurpose leftover pulled pork, transforming it into a brand new, exciting dish.
- Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Whether for a family dinner, a potluck, or entertaining guests, these stuffed shells are always a hit.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable to your taste preferences, from the type of cheese to the barbecue sauce.
On this particular occasion, I utilized the remnants of my famously easy Cola Pulled Pork, which provided a fantastic base of tender, flavorful meat. Paired with other equally simple and readily available ingredients – jumbo pasta shells, cream cheese, sour cream, a mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella, and a hint of fresh shallot and sun-dried tomatoes – this dish comes together with remarkable ease. A sprinkle of salt and pepper ties everything together before being baked to bubbly, cheesy perfection. It’s not just easy; it’s genuinely delicious and remarkably satisfying!
Crafting Your Perfect Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward preparation. We’re talking minimal prep for maximum flavor. The process starts with selecting your star ingredient: the pulled pork. While any leftover pulled pork will do marvelously, opting for a flavorful, tender batch truly elevates the dish. My Cola Pulled Pork recipe is a fantastic choice, yielding succulent, fall-apart pork with a subtle sweetness that complements the barbecue sauce beautifully. If you don’t have leftovers, store-bought pulled pork can be a quick substitute, or you can whip up a batch in your slow cooker or Instant Pot ahead of time.
Ingredients Breakdown & Tips
- Jumbo Pasta Shells: These large, scoop-shaped pasta pieces are perfect for holding a generous amount of filling. Cook them al dente to ensure they hold their shape during stuffing and baking.
- Shredded Pulled Pork: The star! Ensure it’s well-shredded and flavorful.
- Shallot & Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Finely diced shallot adds a mild, sweet oniony flavor without being overpowering. Chopped sun-dried tomatoes provide a concentrated burst of umami and sweetness that perfectly complements the pork and cheese.
- Cream Cheese & Sour Cream: These are the heroes of creaminess, binding the filling together and adding a rich, tangy depth. Ensure your cream cheese is softened for easy mixing.
- Kosher Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors. Adjust to your taste.
- Sharp Cheddar & Mozzarella: A dynamic duo! Sharp cheddar delivers a bold, tangy cheese flavor, while mozzarella offers that irresistible stretchy, gooey texture. Dividing the cheddar allows some to be mixed into the filling and some to melt on top.
- Barbecue Sauce: The crowning glory! A sweet and tangy BBQ sauce ties all the flavors together. Feel free to use your favorite brand, or for an extra special touch, try a homemade option like my Cherry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce.
Simple Steps to Stuffed Shells Perfection
Once you have your ingredients gathered, the assembly is a breeze. First, get your pasta cooking while you prepare the filling. Combining the pulled pork with the creamy cheeses, aromatic shallots, and vibrant sun-dried tomatoes creates a filling that’s bursting with flavor. The key here is to mix everything thoroughly until it’s well combined and easy to spoon into the shells. Don’t be shy when stuffing; a full shell is a happy shell!
Arranging the stuffed shells in a baking dish means they’ll bake evenly, and topping them with the remaining cheese and a generous drizzle of barbecue sauce ensures a beautiful, golden, and saucy finish. The baking process warms everything through, melts the cheese into a glorious blanket, and allows all the flavors to meld together perfectly. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned, and the sauce is sizzling around the edges.
Tips for Success & Variations
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente pasta holds up best to stuffing and baking. Overcooked shells can tear easily.
- Soften Cream Cheese: Room temperature cream cheese mixes much more smoothly into the filling, preventing lumps.
- Flavorful Pulled Pork: The quality of your pulled pork significantly impacts the final taste. If using plain pulled pork, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika or a little extra BBQ seasoning to the mixture.
- Spice it Up: For a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling or use a spicy BBQ sauce.
- Add Veggies: Finely chopped bell peppers or corn can be mixed into the filling for added texture and nutrition.
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with other cheese blends! Monterey Jack, Gouda, or a smoky provolone would also be delicious.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the shells up to a day in advance. Cover them tightly and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
The Recipe Card: BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells
BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells
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Ingredients
- 12 oz jumbo pasta shells
- 1 ½ cups shredded pulled pork
- 1 shallot finely diced
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil chopped
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 pinches kosher salt
- 1 pinch fresh cracked pepper
- 1 ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar divided
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s ready for baking.
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package directions until they are al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking and stop the cooking process.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded pulled pork, finely diced shallot, chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained from oil), softened cream cheese, sour cream, kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, and 1 cup of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated and the filling is uniform.
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Carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with a generous amount of the pulled pork filling. Arrange the filled shells snugly in a 13×9 inch baking dish.
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Evenly sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of sharp cheddar cheese and all the shredded mozzarella cheese over the stuffed shells. Drizzle your preferred barbecue sauce over the top for a final burst of flavor.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the shells are heated through, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are slightly golden and sizzling.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions for Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells
These hearty BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells are a complete meal on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a simple side dish. Consider serving them alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness, or some steamed green beans or asparagus for a balanced meal. A side of cornbread or garlic bread would also be excellent for soaking up any extra barbecue sauce!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Should you be lucky enough to have any leftovers, these stuffed shells store beautifully. Allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can place them back in a baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and bake at 325°F (160°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions until hot. Adding a splash of water or a little extra BBQ sauce before reheating can help keep them moist.
Conclusion: A Must-Try Pulled Pork Recipe!
Whether you’re looking for a creative way to use up leftover pulled pork or simply craving a comforting, flavor-packed pasta dish, these BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells are an absolute winner. The perfect blend of sweet, savory, and cheesy makes for an unforgettable dinner that’s both easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying. Give this recipe a try, and prepare to add it to your regular meal rotation!