Preparation Steps

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add vegetable oil if needed and cook chopped onion over medium heat until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
• Add ground beef to the skillet with the onion. Brown the beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully cooked (about 6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
• Stir in garlic powder, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, milk (if using), salt, and pepper. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes until well combined and slightly thickened.
• Remove the skillet from heat and fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and the crumbled bacon.
• Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the beef.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until tater tots are golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot with extra ketchup or pickles on the side.