1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Pan: Getting Ready to Bake

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease Baking Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent the casserole from sticking and make cleanup easier.

2. Cook the Ground Beef: The Foundation of Flavor

1. Heat Skillet: In a large skillet, heat the skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the hot skillet.
3. Brown the Beef: Cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula as it cooks, until it’s fully browned and no longer pink. This should take about 7-10 minutes.
4. Drain Grease: Once the beef is browned, carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
   • Tip: You can tilt the skillet and use a spoon to remove the grease, or you can transfer the cooked beef to a colander or a plate lined with paper towels.

3. Season the Beef: Adding Depth and Complexity

1. Add Worcestershire Sauce: Pour the Worcestershire sauce over the cooked ground beef.
2. Add Seasonings: Sprinkle the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the beef.
3. Stir: Stir well to ensure the beef is evenly coated with the seasonings.

4. Create the Creamy Sauce: Bringing it All Together

1. Add Soup, Sour Cream, Bacon, and Milk: Add the cheddar cheese condensed soup, sour cream, cooked and chopped bacon, and milk to the skillet with the seasoned beef.
2. Mix Well: Stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

5. Assemble the Casserole: Layers of Flavor and Texture

1. Pour Beef Mixture: Pour the beef and sauce mixture into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly in the bottom of the pan.
2. Add Tater Tots and Cheese: Add the frozen tater tots in an even layer on top, and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over them. Using a spatula, mix until evenly combined.
3. Spread Evenly: Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly in the pan, ensuring it’s level.

6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Crispy Tots and a Bubbly Filling

1. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.
   • Check for Doneness: The casserole is done when the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the filling are bubbling.

7. Cool and Serve: Enjoying the Ultimate Comfort Food

1. Cool Slightly: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly.
2. Serve Hot: Serve the Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole hot, scooping out portions with a large spoon or spatula.