Mexican Style Meatloaf & Roasted Butternut Squash - Easy Low Carb Meal

This evening we had leftover Mexican Style Meatloaf and Roasted Butternut Squash for dinner. Whenever I think about fall, I think about butternut squash. Besides the fact that I love it, it's also one of my favorite fall shades of orange that I love so much. Roasted butternut squash is simply chunks or cubes of butternut squash tossed with oil and seasoned with salt and pepper and roasted on a sheet pan in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the size of your cubes). I've cut my own squash up before and I've purchased it already cubed (from Costco). In case you've never cut up a butternut squash before, it has to be peeled and seeded (there aren't many seeds)...but the tricky part is cutting it up. It's a really hard squash and you need a really good sharp knife (I use a chef's knife). It's much easier if you can find it fresh and already cut up. I sliced and heated up the meatloaf and within 20 to 30 minutes, dinner was ready. 

If you haven't tried my meatloaf yet, you will never look at adding breadcrumbs to meatloaf the same way again. Trust me, whether or not you are grain and gluten free, forget about breadcrumbs...why waste good retail space with filler when you could add CHEESE instead? This meatloaf has diced Cabot pepper jack cheese instead of bread crumbs or faux crumbs, etc. The cheese adds FLAVOR, creaminess and depending on what kind of cheese you add...it adds some zip too. I've used shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese before, also. Rather than dicing up onions or adding catsup or tomato sauce...add fresh salsa instead, particularly if you are looking for a little Mexican or southwestern style flavor. Why add dry stuff (crumbs) to your meatloaf only to have to turn around and counter the dryness with egg, catsup, etc. Keep it moist and flavorful...period! That's my meatloaf rant for the year. LOL 

Lastly, I was SO excited when I pulled into the driveway this afternoon...I have actual visual proof that it really is fall! Our leaves are not only beginning to turn color but I found a few on the ground, too! Yippeeeee...bring it on! Check out the photo of my super easy and quick meal tonight. It's nothing fancy...just good food! Enjoy!

It really is fall...seeing this today was the highlight of my day!

Proof that fall has arrived in Atlanta...we have colorful leaves on the ground!