Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Use a spatula to break it up as it cooks.
Add Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until the onion is softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Season the Beef: Add salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring well to combine. Let this mixture simmer for a couple of minutes to meld the flavors.
Spread in Baking Dish: Once seasoned, spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce
Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, and milk. Stir continuously until melted and smooth, creating a creamy, cheesy sauce.
Pour Over Beef: Pour this cheese sauce evenly over the beef mixture in the baking dish, ensuring it’s fully covered.
Step 3: Add Tater Tots and Cheese
Arrange Tater Tots: Place the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese-covered beef mixture. For maximum crispiness, make sure they’re evenly spaced and not overlapping.
Sprinkle Cheese: Add an additional layer of shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots for extra cheesy goodness.
Step 4: Bake the Casserole
Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
Broil (Optional): If you want an extra-crispy topping, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Add Toppings: After baking, garnish with sliced pickles, chopped green onions, bacon bits, or even tomato slices.
Serve: Serve hot with a drizzle of ketchup and mustard for an authentic cheeseburger flavor.
