Spinach Manicotti

1-1/2 c. finely chopped chicken breasts. (I actually did grill, then chop chicken breasts... but I think next time, I might buy one of those Tyson pouches and just break it all up. It took forever!)
2 cloves garlic, minced (I used minced garlic from a jar - works just as well.)
1 10oz. pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained
1 16oz container of cottage cheese (I used 2%)
2 egg whites
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
10 manicotti shells, cooked and drained (These little buggers were expensive!)
2 c. spaghetti sauce (I used a tomato basil sauce)
1/4 c chopped fresh basil

Heat oven to 350.

Combine the chicken, garlic and spinach in a large bowl. Add cottage cheese, egg whites, and 1/4c. mozzarella. (I did this with a hand mixer.)

Spoon into manicotti shells. (This took time and patience. Afterward, I wondered whether or not it would be beneficial to create a makeshift "pastry bag" out of a gallon size baggy with a clipped corner. Let me know if you give this a try. I did break a few shells, but I just put them in the pan with the broken seam down.)

Place in a 13x9 sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with spaghetti sauce.
Bake 25-30 mins or until heated through. Top with remaining mozzarella and bake 5mins or unti melted. Sprinkle with the basil.

I made this in the morning and just refrigerated it until I was ready to bake it. It wouldn't be suitable for freezing though... egg whites and cottage cheese. I would suggest some extra sauce, and probably a chunkier sauce too. I'm thinking that next time I might add some diced tomatoes to the sauce... maybe mushrooms? I like a chunky spaghetti sauce though. No complaints from my guests though... and it was equally good as leftovers the next day at lunch. :)

Would anyone be interested in my "almost-homemade" spaghetti sauce recipe? If so, let me know. It's good, and freezes really well. Also, I'm looking for a good homemade chili recipe. Anyone have one to share??