Strawberry Lasagna is a delightful no-bake dessert, known for its irresistibly creamy and sweet layers. This show-stopping treat is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any gathering, remarkably simple to prepare, and can be ready in as little as 20 minutes of active prep time!
Indulge in the Ultimate No-Bake Strawberry Lasagna
Craving a refreshing and utterly delicious dessert that requires no oven time? Look no further than this incredible Strawberry Lasagna! It’s the quintessential easy dessert for sun-drenched summer cookouts, family potlucks, or just a sweet weeknight treat. This recipe takes a beloved classic and elevates it with vibrant strawberry flavor and a decadent, creamy texture. Each forkful delivers a symphony of tastes and textures: a crisp, buttery Golden Oreo crust, followed by a sweet and tangy strawberry pie filling, then a silky layer of vanilla pudding, all crowned with a light, airy whipped topping and garnished with fresh, juicy strawberries. It’s a guaranteed home run every single time, and the best part? It’s astonishingly simple to assemble!
If your heart beats for everything strawberry, this dessert is about to become your new obsession. Its refreshing nature and effortless preparation make it a standout choice when you want maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Prepare to impress your guests and satisfy every sweet tooth with this vibrant and dreamy Strawberry Lasagna.
Why You Will Adore This No-Bake Strawberry Lasagna
This Strawberry Lasagna isn’t just a dessert; it’s a delightful experience that brings joy with every spoonful. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your recipe collection:
- Effortlessly Easy: No baking required! This recipe relies on simple layering and chilling, making it perfect for novice bakers and seasoned pros alike.
- Speedy Preparation: With just about 20 minutes of active prep time, you can have this magnificent dessert assembled and chilling, freeing up your time for other activities.
- Irresistibly Delicious Layers: A harmony of sweet Golden Oreo crust, creamy strawberry filling, smooth vanilla pudding, and light whipped topping creates a complex flavor profile that satisfies.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual backyard BBQ, an elegant dinner party, or a holiday gathering, this dessert is always a hit and travels beautifully.
- Customizable Fun: Easily adapt the flavors by swapping out Oreos, pudding mixes, or pie fillings to suit any taste preference or seasonal theme.
- Make-Ahead Marvel: It tastes even better when made a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld and the layers to set perfectly, making entertaining stress-free.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Its vibrant appearance and delightful taste ensure it disappears quickly, leaving everyone asking for the recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Lasagna
While optional, strawberry extract significantly intensifies the natural strawberry flavor, making this “lush” dessert truly sing. If you don’t have it or can’t find it, don’t worry—your Strawberry Lasagna will still be absolutely delicious!
Absolutely! This type of layered dessert is a fantastic candidate for make-ahead preparation. For optimal flavor development and setting, I highly recommend making it the night before you plan to serve it. Chilling overnight allows all the distinct layers to firm up beautifully and the flavors to fully deepen.
Feel free to get creative with your pudding choice! While vanilla is a classic, flavors like cheesecake, lemon, banana, or even white chocolate pudding would all create wonderfully tasty variations in this dessert.
Certainly! Golden Oreos provide a lovely vanilla base, but you can easily swap them for traditional chocolate Oreos for a cookies-and-cream twist, or even lemon Oreos for a zesty contrast. Graham crackers are another classic option for a buttery, less sweet crust.
Yes, definitely! While strawberry pie filling is key to this recipe, you could experiment with other fruit fillings. Blueberry or peach pie filling would undoubtedly be wonderful and offer a different flavor profile.
No food processor? No problem! Simply place your cookies in a sturdy Ziploc bag, seal it, and crush them finely using a rolling pin or any other heavy object until they form uniform crumbs.
To keep your leftovers fresh, store them in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, this dessert freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Essential Ingredients for Your Strawberry Lasagna
Creating this delightful Strawberry Lasagna requires a few key components that work in harmony to build its incredible flavor and texture. Here’s a detailed look at each ingredient and some helpful tips:
- Golden Oreo Cookies: These cookies form the sweet and sturdy base of our lasagna. Their vanilla flavor perfectly complements the strawberries. If you’re looking for alternatives, traditional chocolate Oreos offer a “cookies and cream” vibe, while lemon Oreos can add a bright, zesty note. For a more classic, less sweet crust, you can always opt for a graham cracker crust, similar to what’s used in a Coconut Cream layered dessert.
- Salted Butter: While it might seem unconventional for a sweet dessert, salted butter plays a crucial role. It helps to balance the sweetness of the cookies and other layers, adding a subtle depth of flavor. If you only have unsalted butter, that will work perfectly fine too; consider adding a tiny pinch of salt to the crust mixture.
- Strawberry Pie Filling: This provides the intense, fruity strawberry layer. Any brand will do; simply choose your favorite. The key is to get a smooth consistency by processing it before layering.
- Cream Cheese: The foundation of our creamy, tangy layer. The most critical tip here is to ensure your cream cheese is at true room temperature. If it’s too cold, it will remain lumpy no matter how much you whip it, resulting in a less-than-smooth texture in your dessert. Softened cream cheese blends beautifully into a silky consistency.
- Whipped Topping (also known as Cool Whip): This light and airy topping adds a delightful fluffiness and helps bind the layers. You’ll find Cool Whip in the freezer section of your grocery store. Remember, it comes frozen, so plan ahead! It needs ample time to thaw in the refrigerator, ideally overnight, before you intend to use it.
- Cold Milk: Essential for activating and thickening instant pudding mixes. Using cold milk ensures the pudding sets properly and quickly, providing a firm, smooth layer.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: The secret to our creamy, luscious pudding layer. It’s absolutely vital to use instant pudding mix, not the “cook and serve” variety, as the latter will not set up correctly in this no-bake recipe. While vanilla is a classic choice, French vanilla or even white chocolate pudding mixes are excellent alternatives if you want to slightly alter the flavor profile.
- Strawberry Extract (Optional): For those who truly want to amplify the strawberry experience, a touch of strawberry extract can deepen and brighten the overall fruit flavor. If you don’t have it on hand or prefer not to use it, the dessert will still be fantastic without it.
- Fresh Strawberries (Optional Garnish): Sliced fresh strawberries add a burst of color, a hint of freshness, and make for a beautiful presentation when serving.
Tips for No-Bake Strawberry Lasagna Success
Achieving a perfectly layered and delicious Strawberry Lasagna is easy with a few simple tips:
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese is Key: As mentioned in the ingredients, allow your cream cheese to soften on the counter for at least an hour before mixing. This ensures a perfectly smooth and lump-free cream cheese layer.
- Thaw Cool Whip Properly: Don’t rush this step! Transfer your frozen whipped topping to the refrigerator the night before you plan to assemble your dessert. A properly thawed Cool Whip will be smooth and easy to spread.
- Pack the Crust Firmly: When pressing the cookie crumbs into your baking dish, use the bottom of a glass or a flat measuring cup to create an even, tightly packed crust. This prevents it from falling apart when sliced.
- Chill Time is Crucial: While the active prep is quick, the chilling time is essential for the layers to set properly and for the flavors to fully meld. Resist the urge to cut into it too soon! Overnight chilling is always best for the most stable and flavorful results.
- Garnish Just Before Serving: If using fresh strawberries for garnish, add them shortly before serving to ensure they look their best and retain their freshness.
How to Make Strawberry Lasagna: Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your luscious no-bake Strawberry Lasagna:
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Crust
Place the Golden Oreo cookies into a food processor. Pulse until fine, even crumbs form. If you don’t have a food processor, crush them in a ziploc bag with a rolling pin.
Transfer the cookie crumbs to a large bowl. Pour in the melted butter and stir thoroughly until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
Press this crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Use a flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup to compact the crust evenly. Place the dish in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the next layers.
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Strawberry Layer
Using the same food processor (no need to wash it!), add the strawberry pie filling. Process until the filling is smooth and uniform.
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, whip the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
Fold in the smooth strawberry pie filling and mix gently until just combined. Then, carefully stir in 1 cup of the thawed whipped topping until well incorporated.
Evenly spread this creamy strawberry layer over the chilled cookie crust. Return the dish to the refrigerator while you prepare the pudding layer.
Step 3: Create the Vanilla Pudding Layer
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the cold milk and instant vanilla pudding mix until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken. Stir in the optional strawberry extract, if using. Taste and adjust the amount of extract to your preference.
Carefully spoon and smooth the vanilla pudding mixture over the top of the strawberry-cream cheese layer in the baking dish.
Step 4: Add the Final Whipped Topping and Chill
Spread the remaining thawed whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer, creating a cloud-like finish.
Place the assembled Strawberry Lasagna back into the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. For the absolute best results, allow it to set overnight. Once thoroughly chilled and firm, slice into servings and garnish with fresh strawberries, if desired, just before presenting.
Serving and Storing Your Strawberry Lasagna
Once your Strawberry Lasagna has chilled sufficiently, it’s ready to be the star of your dessert table! For an appealing presentation, slice it into neat squares or rectangles. Garnish each serving with fresh strawberry slices, a sprig of mint, or a light dusting of powdered sugar to enhance its visual appeal and add an extra burst of fresh flavor.
This dessert is best served cold. If you’ve made it ahead of time, simply pull it from the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy. Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices or the entire dish (well-wrapped) for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator before serving.
Craving More Delicious Recipes?
If you love this Strawberry Lasagna, explore more delightful recipes that are perfect for any occasion:
- Strawberry Brownies
- Strawberry Poke Cake
- Strawberry Tiramisu
- Strawberry Icebox Cake
- Strawberry Shortcake Cake
- Pistachio Layered Dessert
- Coconut Cream Lush
- Butterfinger Lush
- Oreo Layered Dessert (No-Bake)
Strawberry Lasagna
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20
20
12 servings
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 14.3 ounce package Golden Oreo cookies
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
- 21 ounces strawberry pie filling
- 8 ounces (1 block) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 16 ounces (large tub) whipped topping (Cool Whip, thawed)
- 3 cups cold milk
- 2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon strawberry extract (optional)
- fresh strawberries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place the Oreo cookies in a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form.
- Place the crumbs into a large bowl and stir with the melted butter until well combined.
- Press the crust mixture firmly into a 9×13-inch baking dish using the bottom of a flat glass. Place in the fridge to chill while preparing other layers.
- Using the same food processor (no need to wash), process the strawberry pie filling until completely smooth.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, whip the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Gently fold in the smooth strawberry pie filling. Then, add 1 cup of the thawed whipped topping and stir until just combined.
- Spread this creamy strawberry layer evenly over the chilled cookie crust. Return the dish to the fridge.
- In another large bowl, whisk together the cold milk and instant vanilla pudding mix until smooth and thickened. Whisk in the strawberry extract if using, tasting and adjusting to your preference.
- Carefully spread the pudding mixture over the strawberry layer.
- Finally, spread the remaining whipped topping smoothly over the pudding layer.
- Refrigerate the Strawberry Lasagna for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, until fully set. Slice and serve with fresh strawberries for garnish if desired.
Notes
- For answers to common questions and substitution ideas, refer to the FAQ section and ingredient list above.
- Experiment with different instant pudding flavors such as cheesecake, lemon, banana, or white chocolate for unique variations.
- The Golden Oreo crust can be swapped for traditional chocolate or lemon Oreos, or a simple graham cracker crust.
- Consider using other fruit pie fillings like blueberry or peach for a different seasonal twist.
- This dessert is best when prepared in advance, allowing the flavors to deepen and the layers to set overnight in the refrigerator.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 77g |
Protein: 6g |
Fat: 27g |
Sodium: 420mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 59g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.