Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Use a spoon to break it apart as it cooks. Once cooked through, drain any excess grease.

Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Remove the beef mixture from the heat. Stir in the softened cream cheese until it is fully melted and smoothly combined with the beef mixture, creating a creamy base.

Spread the creamy beef mixture evenly into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish.

Evenly sprinkle 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.

Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the entire surface of the casserole.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.

Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the hot tater tots. Return to the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.

Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot.