Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp garlic salt
  • 10.5 oz condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 0.5 cup whole milk
  • 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  • 1 lb frozen tater tots
  • Fresh chives for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the 1 lb lean ground beef. Cook 6 minutes until no pink remains.
  3. Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
  4. Stir in the 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 0.5 tsp garlic salt, cooking for an additional 60 seconds.
  5. Lower the heat and stir in the 10.5 oz condensed cream of mushroom soup and 0.5 cup whole milk.
  6. Fold in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until the base is uniform.
  7. Pour the soup mixture over the beef in the skillet (or transfer beef to a 9x13 dish). Smooth it into an even layer.
  8. Arrange the 1 lb frozen tater tots in neat rows across the top.
  9. Place in the oven for 20 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the tots are golden.
  10. Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of cheese over the tots and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
  11. Garnish with fresh chives before serving.