I should have added that I did do one thing a bit differently. I used 2 quarts of boxed stock as the base. Then I simmered maybe a pound of stew meat in it to add that flavor, and then, finally, I added some Knorr beef base to give it some salt and an extra beef punch.
I also discovered as I was cleaning up that I forgot to put the garlic in.
And the easiest way to carmelize onions?
Electric skillet. Those things rock.