01 -
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
02 -
Brown the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease if needed. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring to coat everything. Stir in the garlic herb seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, and water (or beef broth). Simmer on low while you prepare the rest.
03 -
Microwave the chopped potatoes for about 8 minutes, or parboil them for about 5 minutes - you just want them slightly tender, not fully cooked. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, toss the potatoes with olive oil and the Lipton Onion Soup Mix until well coated.
04 -
Spread the beef mixture evenly over the potatoes in the baking dish.
05 -
In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and black pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the casserole.
06 -
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
07 -
Remove the foil and top with the shredded Colby Jack cheese and crispy fried onions. Bake uncovered for 7 to 10 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and the onions are golden.
08 -
Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps everything set up and makes it easier to scoop out portions. Enjoy this cozy, cheesy goodness!