Here’s your cheat sheet: Preheat to 350°F. Shape your loaf gently. Bake until an instant-read thermometer in the center reads 160°F. Let it rest for 10 minutes—this lets the juices redistribute, so you don’t lose them on the cutting board.
And if you’re still nervous? Buy a cheap digital thermometer with a probe that stays in the oven. It’ll beep at you when it’s done. No guesswork. No hockey puck.
Trust me, your future self—and your hungry dinner guests—will thank you. Now go save that ground beef from a tragic fate.
