1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until crispy, about 20 minutes.
2. In a skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
3. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
4. In a casserole dish, layer half of the tater tots, followed by the sloppy joe mixture, then 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Add the remaining tater tots on top.
5. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the tots and bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Top with caramelized onions for extra flavor (optional).