Chocolate Lasagna: The Ultimate No-Bake Dessert for Chocolate Lovers
Indulge in the decadent layers of Chocolate Lasagna, a no-bake dessert that combines rich chocolate flavors with a creamy, dreamy texture. This irresistible treat is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without turning on the oven. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of crunchy Oreo crust, velvety cream cheese filling, and luscious chocolate pudding, all topped with fluffy whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or craving a late-night dessert, this Chocolate Lasagna recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its make-ahead convenience and stunning presentation make it ideal for holidays, potlucks, or family gatherings. The best part? It requires no baking—just layer, chill, and enjoy!
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: A harmonious blend of sweet, creamy, and chocolatey goodness with hints of vanilla and coffee from the Oreo crust.
- Texture: Layers of crunchy cookie base, smooth cream cheese filling, silky chocolate pudding, and airy whipped cream create a delightful contrast.
- Aroma: The rich scent of cocoa and vanilla will fill your kitchen as you assemble this dessert.
- Visual Appeal: Beautiful striped layers make this dessert as impressive to look at as it is delicious to eat.
- Skill Level Needed: Perfect for beginners—no special techniques required beyond mixing and layering.
- Special Equipment: Just a 9×13-inch baking dish and electric mixer (or whisk) are needed.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: This Chocolate Lasagna recipe is beginner-friendly with simple steps and no baking required. The most challenging part is waiting for it to chill!
- Category: Dessert, specifically a no-bake layered dessert similar to icebox cakes.
- Cuisine: American dessert with Italian-inspired presentation (though not actually Italian).
- Cost: Budget-friendly at approximately $10-$12 for the entire pan.
- Season: Perfect year-round, but especially popular during summer (no oven needed) and holidays.
- Occasion: Ideal for potlucks, birthdays, holidays, or anytime you need an impressive but easy dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Lasagna
First and foremost, the taste is absolutely divine. The combination of Oreo crust, cream cheese layer, chocolate pudding, and whipped topping creates a symphony of textures and flavors that chocolate lovers adore. Each component complements the others perfectly, resulting in a dessert that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
The convenience factor can’t be overstated. Unlike traditional lasagna that requires hours in the oven, this dessert version comes together quickly with no baking required. Simply assemble the layers and let the refrigerator do the work. It’s the perfect solution when you need an impressive dessert but don’t want to heat up your kitchen.
Nutritionally, while this is certainly an indulgent treat, you can make lighter versions by using sugar-free pudding, reduced-fat cream cheese, and light whipped topping. The portion control is built right in—when cut into 12 servings, each piece is a satisfying but reasonable dessert portion.
For entertaining, Chocolate Lasagna is a guaranteed conversation starter. The beautiful layers make it look like you spent hours in the kitchen, when in reality it’s one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make. Guests always ask for the recipe!
Finally, the accessibility of ingredients makes this recipe a winner. All components are readily available at any grocery store, and the total cost is very reasonable considering how many servings you get. It’s an affordable way to serve a showstopping dessert to a crowd.
The Recipe
Chocolate Lasagna
Serves: 12
Prep Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 25 mins (plus chilling)
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Food processor or plastic bag and rolling pin (for crushing Oreos)
Ingredients
- 36 Oreo cookies (regular, not Double Stuf)
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cold milk
- 1 (12 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed and divided
- 2 (3.9 oz) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
- 3 1/4 cups cold milk
- Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips for garnish
Directions
- Crush Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing in a plastic bag and crushing with a rolling pin.
- Mix Oreo crumbs with melted butter until well combined. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form the crust. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add sugar and 2 tablespoons milk, mixing until smooth. Fold in 1 1/4 cups whipped topping.
- Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled crust. Return to refrigerator while preparing the next layer.
- In another bowl, whisk pudding mixes with 3 1/4 cups cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened. Let stand for 5 minutes.
- Spread pudding over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
- Spread remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Before serving, garnish with chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips. Cut into squares and serve chilled.
Recipe Notes
- For a stronger chocolate flavor, use chocolate whipped topping.
- Can be made 1-2 days in advance—the flavors improve as it chills.
- For a mint chocolate version, add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the cream cheese layer.
