Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic over medium heat until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
In a separate bowl, mix together the cooked beef mixture, thawed hash browns, cream of mushroom soup, milk, sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until well incorporated.
Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Layer the shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top, and sprinkle crushed tortilla chips if desired.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
Allow the dish to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.