Food- Tater Tot Casserole

My friend Leslie brought to my attention that I cook a lot, by asking me how many nights a week I actually cook dinner, and I decided that I could inspire some people to cook more by blogging about what I make and if its simple enough how I make it. Right now Im not talented enough to do step by step pictures like those fancy blog ladies who are stay at home moms and can make money off blogging.
So, this Monday is Tater Tot Casserole, Chase freaking loves this casserole, my friend Jeremy joined us one evening and he also thought it was delicious. I chose to make this on Monday bc I have a long break for lunch and I can make the hamburger then, plus we will be here late today since we have a 615 new pt and I can just throw the rest together and cook it when I get home with little effort and time involved.
This is the rundown of how I do it. At lunch I pre-cook the hamburger, 1lb. But first I dice/chop one SMALL onion or cut one in half and dice it instead. Then I cook off the onions and hamburger, you want the onions to be transparent and the meat to brown. I at this point also make my cream of mush soup substitute. I do not use cream of whatever soup ever. I make a roux, with 3 Tbsp butter and 3 Tbsp flour. You melt the butter first but do not brown it! Then add the flour and mix it with a whisk, let it cook for a couple minutes but do not let it stick or boil. After this you add 1 and 1/4 cup liquid* add it slowly and mix it well! It needs to cook for a few minutes until it thickens some it will thicken more while it sits, again very important dont let it stick! (*when using with hamburger I use beef broth, when I make it for mini pot pies I use chicken broth, you can use beef broth and add mushrooms if you want it to be mushroomy, or just use the shit in the can whatever floats your boat.) I then pour the cooked meat and onions into a glass 9 inch pie pan and stick that and the microwave until I get home from work.
When I get home you pour the thickened soupness on the meat and onions, I then get out the frozen mixed veg and cover it with a layer of that, then cover with a layer of shredded cheddar cheese, then cover with one solid layer of tater tots, I make sure they are touching and covering every tiny section of the casserole. It needs to cook on 350 for like 45 -55 minutes basically until the tater tots are brown crispy and done. Bam! Tater tot casserole!