Zesty Lemon Lasagna Recipe: A Sweet Twist on a Classic Favorite

Creamy lemon lasagna offers a zesty twist on the classic comfort dish that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Layers of tangy citrus and smooth ricotta create a delightful culinary experience.

Soft pasta sheets embrace rich, bright flavors in every single bite.

Cheese lovers and dessert enthusiasts will find this recipe irresistibly unique.

Mediterranean sunshine seems to shine through each carefully crafted slice.

Unexpected yet harmonious ingredients blend to create something truly memorable.

You’ll fall in love with this refreshing take on a traditional favorite that promises to surprise and delight.

Why Lemon Lasagna Is a Zesty Crowd Pleaser

• Savor Lemon Luxury: Indulge in a dessert that bursts with zesty, creamy goodness without complicated cooking techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and celebrations where everyone craves a refreshing sweet treat.
• No-Bake Bliss: Create a show-stopping dessert without turning on the oven, making it ideal for warm days and lazy afternoons.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Transform basic pantry items like Golden Oreos, cream cheese, and whipped topping into a spectacular dessert that looks professionally made.

All the Ingredients for Lemon Lasagna Layers

• Golden Oreo Cookies: These sweet cookies form the base of the delicious dessert and provide a rich, creamy foundation.
• Butter: The melted butter helps bind the cookie crumbs together for a firm and compact crust.

• Cream Cheese: This soft cheese creates a smooth and tangy base for the layer with a rich texture.
• Sugar: The sugar adds sweetness to balance the cream cheese's tanginess.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: These citrus elements bring a bright, fresh flavor to the cream cheese layer.
• Whipped Topping: This light and fluffy ingredient helps create a smooth and airy texture in the layer.

• Lemon Pudding Mix: This mix provides a smooth, creamy lemon flavor to the dessert.
• Cold Milk: The milk helps activate and thicken the pudding mix.
• Whipped Topping: This light topping adds a creamy finish to the dessert.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Slices: These garnishes provide a fresh, decorative touch and enhance the lemon flavor.

Steps for Making Lemon Lasagna at Home

Step 1: Crush Oreo Cookie Base

Toss Golden Oreo cookies into a food processor and pulse until they transform into fine, sandy crumbs. Drizzle melted butter over the crumbs and mix thoroughly.

Press the buttery mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a smooth, compact base. Slide the dish into the refrigerator to chill while preparing subsequent layers.

Step 2: Whip Creamy Lemon Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and bright lemon zest. Beat the ingredients until they become silky and well-incorporated.

Gently fold in whipped topping, creating a light and airy texture. Carefully spread this zesty cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled Oreo crust.

Step 3: Create Lemon Pudding Layer

Grab a separate bowl and whisk together lemon pudding mix with cold milk. Stir vigorously until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.

Pour this tangy pudding layer over the cream cheese filling, ensuring an even distribution across the entire surface.

Step 4: Top with Whipped Delight

Spread the remaining whipped topping generously over the lemon pudding layer.

Sprinkle additional lemon zest across the top and garnish with delicate lemon slices for a beautiful presentation.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Allow the lasagna to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight.

This chilling time helps the layers set and flavors meld together. When ready, slice into squares and serve this refreshing dessert that balances sweet, tangy, and creamy notes perfectly.

Tips for Tangy and Creamy Lemon Lasagna

• Use a food processor for uniform, fine crumbs that create a solid, compact crust without lumps.
• Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure smooth, lump-free blending with other ingredients.
• Pat cream cheese mixture gently with paper towels to remove excess moisture and maintain a firm, clean layer.
• Allow lasagna to rest in refrigerator overnight for deeper lemon taste and firmer texture that cuts cleanly.
• Use a microplane grater for fine, aromatic lemon zest that distributes flavor evenly without bitter white pith.

Lemon Lasagna Swaps and Flavor Options

• Tropical Sunshine Lasagna: Replace lemon with passion fruit and lime zest for a vibrant, exotic flavor profile.
• No-Bake Cheesecake Variation: Swap Golden Oreos with graham crackers and add vanilla extract for a classic cheesecake taste.
• Gluten-Free Citrus Dream: Use gluten-free cookie crumbs and ensure pudding mix is gluten-free for a celiac-friendly dessert.
• Reduced Sugar Wellness Version: Substitute sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener and use sugar-free pudding mix for a lower-calorie option.

Pairings for Lemon Lasagna Desserts

Select a chilled, light Moscato wine with subtle lemon and orange blossom notes that complement the dessert’s bright citrus flavor profile.

Create a palate-cleansing side of homemade lemon lavender sorbet that echoes the dessert’s refreshing zesty undertones and provides a cool contrast.

Top each slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream infused with real vanilla bean, enhancing the creamy texture and adding subtle aromatic complexity.

Sprinkle delicate, sugared lemon peel strips across the dessert to intensify the citrus notes and provide a delightful crisp texture that elevates the overall experience.

Storing Lemon Lasagna for Freshness

• Store covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the dessert away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate lemon flavor.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Place in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn and maintain texture.
• Transfer frozen lasagna to the refrigerator overnight, allowing it to slowly defrost while maintaining its creamy consistency and preventing separation of layers.
• Let the dessert sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore its smooth, creamy texture and enhance the lemon flavor.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this lemon lasagna unique?

Golden Oreo cookies create a sweet, unique crust while fresh lemon juice and zest provide bright, tangy flavor throughout the dessert.

• Is this dessert difficult to make?

No, this recipe is beginner-friendly and requires no baking. You’ll just need a few basic kitchen tools like a food processor and mixing bowl to create layers.

• Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Absolutely! Lemon lasagna is perfect for preparing in advance. You can make it the night before an event, and it actually tastes better after chilling for several hours.

• How long will this dessert last in the refrigerator?

When stored in an airtight container, lemon lasagna stays fresh for 3-4 days. Keep it refrigerated to maintain its creamy texture and prevent spoiling.

Lemon Lasagna Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible layers of zesty lemon lasagna bring Mediterranean sunshine to classic Italian comfort food. Creamy, tangy, and light, this dessert promises a refreshing twist that will make you crave another delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Lemon Base Ingredients:

• 2 boxes (3.4 ounces/96 grams) instant lemon pudding mix
• 2 1/2 cups (600 milliliters) cold milk
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Dairy and Cream Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) whipped topping (Cool Whip)

Crust and Garnish Ingredients:

• 36 golden oreo cookies, crushed
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for garnish)
• Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Pulverize Golden Oreo cookies into ultrafine crumbs using a food processor, ensuring a consistent texture.
2. Combine cookie crumbs with melted butter, pressing the mixture firmly and uniformly across the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish to create a compact base.
3. Chill the crust in the refrigerator while preparing subsequent layers to maintain its structural integrity.
4. Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until velvety smooth, incorporating sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vibrant lemon zest.
5. Gently fold in whipped topping until the mixture achieves a uniform, creamy consistency.
6. Carefully spread the lemon-infused cream cheese layer across the chilled cookie crust, creating an even surface.
7. Whisk lemon pudding mix with cold milk for approximately 2 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken and develop a smooth texture.
8. Distribute the lemon pudding layer evenly over the cream cheese foundation, ensuring complete coverage.
9. Top the pudding layer with remaining whipped topping, creating a light and airy final stratum.
10. Embellish the surface with delicate lemon zest and artfully arranged lemon slices for visual appeal.
11. Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and layers to set completely.
12. When ready to serve, slice into precise portions and indulge in the refreshing, zesty dessert.

Notes

• Ensure Golden Oreo cookies are finely crushed for a smooth, compact crust that holds together perfectly when sliced.
• Use room temperature cream cheese to achieve a silky, lump-free mixture that blends seamlessly with other ingredients.
• For a lighter version, substitute full-fat ingredients with low-fat cream cheese, sugar-free pudding mix, and light whipped topping without compromising flavor.
• Enhance zesty flavor by adding an extra teaspoon of lemon zest or a splash of lemon extract to intensify the citrus notes throughout the dessert.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 218 kcal
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 116 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg