Is the top burning before the center is done? Your loaf is probably shaped like a hockey puck. Shape it into a low, oval mound. It cooks more evenly. High, round loaves are raw in the middle.
Is it leaking a ton of grease? You used meat that’s too fatty. Go for 85/15 ground beef. Or mix half beef with half pork or turkey. And please, for the love of all things holy, use a loaf pan on a baking sheet. That catches the drips and prevents a smoky kitchen fire.
Is it dry anyway? You might have overmixed the meat. Treat it like you’re petting a shy cat. Gentle. Too much mixing makes it tough and dense. Just combine ingredients until they're barely together. Trust the process.
