Jump to recipeI was first introduced to this tasty dish when I was just a child. My parents would take us to dinner in San Francisco to the famous Original Joe’s. I remember my dad ordering two distinct dishes that as I child I never saw anywhere else. One was Joe’s Special – a wonderful mix of ground beef, onion, spinach, and egg; and the other was zabaglione – a dessert of whipped egg yolks, sugar, and marsala wine. Honestly, as a child I did not understand either one!
Well, as an adult I can say that Joe’s Special has become one of my favorite go-to dinners because one) it is easy; two) it is healthy; and three) it is simply delicious! Even my kids gobble it up – something I would not do as a child simply because the spinach and onions scared me away. And what’s more? It is totally budget friendly! This is a cheap meal for sure! What’s not to love?!??
Joe’s Special
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 8 oz. ground beef
- 1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry in paper towels
- 8 eggs, lightly beaten
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan
DIRECTIONS
- Heat oil in a 12″ skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic and onion; cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef; cook, stirring, until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain fat.
- Add spinach; cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Add eggs; cook until eggs are cooked and mixture is slightly dry, about 4 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle with Parmesan.
Serves four
Serve with crusty Italian bread.
This dish is perfect the way it is. But when my family is extra hungry, I will throw in a few more eggs, or serve with a side of fresh cut melon.
Every time I prepare this meal I mentally reminisce our fun family meals in San Francisco. A dinner at Original Joe’s was often accompanied with a night at the theater. It was after all a big deal for our family to drive into the city for dinner. Oh, and my dad slurping up his big glass of zabaglione for dessert. Great memories for sure!
Original Joe’s in San Jose has become a family favorite as well.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 8 oz. ground beef
- 1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry in paper towels
- 8 eggs, lightly beaten
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Heat oil in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic and onion; cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef; cook, stirring, until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain fat.
- Add spinach; cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Add eggs; cook until eggs are cooked and mixture is slightly dry, about 4 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle with Parmesan.
© 2025 Positively Stacey
