Prison Menu Shocker: Luigi Mangione’s Chicken Parmesan and Pizza Beans ‘Fine Dining’ Sparks Outrage

Luigi Mangione, accused of the high-profile murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is making headlines again—not for his legal battles, but for his prison meals. At Pennsylvania’s State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon, Mangione’s menu includes surprising choices, such as chicken parmesan and the unconventional dish “pizza beans.” The menu, seen by PEOPLE, has left the public divided, with some questioning whether such options are appropriate for someone awaiting trial for murder.

Mangione, 26, is accused of shooting Thompson, 50, in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel earlier this month. While Mangione awaits trial, his meals have become an unexpected topic of national debate, with social media ablaze over what some call “gourmet prison food.”

Chicken Parmesan and ‘Pizza Beans’: The Menu That Sparked Debate

According to reports, Mangione’s dinner options included chicken parmesan, inspired by Italian cuisine, and pizza beans, a dish that blends beans with pizza-inspired ingredients like crushed tomatoes, garlic, and parmesan, topped with melted mozzarella. Pizza beans gained notoriety in 2017 when food blogger Deb Perelman introduced the recipe in her cookbook Smitten Kitchen Every Day. The dish’s appearance on a prison menu has led to a surge in Google searches and rekindled interest in Perelman’s recipe.

“When I created this recipe, I never imagined it would end up on a prison menu,” Perelman told Eater. She clarified that her brand does not condone violence but admitted she found the memes humorous.

While many were puzzled by the inclusion of such an inventive dish on a prison menu, others have called it an unnecessary indulgence for someone charged with a serious crime. Breakfast staples like fruit, cereal, and bread are also served, occasionally swapped with grits or scrambled eggs.

Public Reactions Highlight Mixed Feelings

Social media users have had strong opinions about Mangione’s meals. Some believe the food is too luxurious for someone accused of murder, while others view it as standard prison fare.

• @JusticeMatters2024: “Chicken parmesan and pizza beans? Meanwhile, regular inmates get mystery meat. This is beyond unfair!”
• @CulinaryCritic88: “Pizza beans on a prison menu? This might be the most absurd thing I’ve read all year.”
• @EqualityFirst: “Everyone deserves decent food, but this feels excessive given the charges against Mangione.”
• @FoodieForLife: “I’m more curious about the recipe for pizza beans than the outrage. It actually sounds delicious!”
• @PrisonWatchdog: “Mangione’s meals highlight inequality in the prison system. Regular inmates deserve better, too.”
• @TrueCrimeFan2023: “Is it just me, or is Mangione living better in prison than some people outside?”

Prison Life Amid a High-Profile Case

Mangione’s incarceration includes meals eaten in a 15x6-foot cell with minimal interaction with other inmates, according to CNN. Despite the controversy, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections spokesperson Maria Bivens stated, “All inmates are afforded time outside their cells even if they are a higher custody level.”

Mangione faces serious charges, including first-degree murder and multiple weapons-related offenses. His case continues to draw significant public attention, with many questioning whether his accommodations reflect the gravity of his alleged crimes.