Set skillet to medium temperature. Add 4 slices of bacon to cook until crispy, about 5 minutes each side. Remove from pan and let cool on two paper towels to remove excess grease. Set aside.

Remove excess grease from skillet and dispose. Place skillet back on stove and set heat to medium. Let it heat back up and then add 1 lb of ground sausage to pan. Break it down using your wooden spoon or spatula. Let it cook until browned. Once cooked, strain meat to remove excess grease. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grab a 13x9 casserole dish and place cooked ground sausage on the bottom. Cover with 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

Grab the tater tots from the freezer and begin to layer them over the casserole. I didn't need the whole bag but that's because my casserole dish was only 9x12. Place casserole in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes. Mine took about 45 minutes because my dish was shorter and thus made the casserole thicker. So make sure to adjust based on the size of your dish.

Grab 4 pieces of bacon and give them a rough chop. Remove casserole from the oven when it's ready. Add remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and crumbled bacon to the top of the casserole. Bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Remove casserole from oven and let it sit for 10 minutes so that it cools down a little. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.