Spinach and Cheese Manicotti

OK so I know I've reviewed and posted a recipe for this type of dish before. I however rescind my former review to add that THESE were the BEST manicotti I've eaten!! LOVE the fact that they're vegetarian (but you could easily add meat to this recipe), that they have cream cheese in them (one of my loves in life next to Tim Horton's coffee) and that the sauce is homemade and DELICIOUS!! Try these, aside from the pain they are to fill the shells (made a SMIDGE easier by putting the filling in a ziplock gallon bag, snipping off the corner and piping it into the shells) these were worth all the effort.

Spinach and Cheese Manicotti

1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup dry red wine or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons dried oregano

FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese
1-1/4 cups (10 ounces) 2% cottage cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package (8 ounces) manicotti shells
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions
In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, wine, Italian seasoning, sugar and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, for filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the cottage cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, eggs and salt.
Stuff cream cheese mixture into uncooked manicotti shells. Spread 1 cup sauce into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spay. Arrange manicotti over sauce. Pour remaining sauce over top.
Cover and bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until pasta is tender. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Yield: 7 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 2 stuffed manicotti equals 389 calories, 9 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 80 mg cholesterol, 722 mg sodium, 50 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 25 g protein.