It's time for another fake-out recipe, this time featuring lasagna! But this recipe is a little bit different in that it incorporates some of the traditional ingredients of lasagna—noodles, ricotta cheese, and balsamic vinegar—but in a totally decadent dessert. The creamy sweet ricotta is perfect with the tangy sweet strawberries. It's an easy dessert to make ahead or put together at the last minute, and unlike real lasagna, there's no baking required. That makes it a perfect summer dessert. Are you ready to start your fake out?
Strawberry Dessert Lasagna
6-8 lasagna noodles
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 package vanilla instant pudding mix
2/3 cup milk
4 cups thinly sliced strawberries
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
dash of black pepper
1 kiwi, peeled and diced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
Directions
Cook noodles according to direction, then rinse with cold water and lay out to dry on a baking rack. Mix ricotta cheese, pudding mix, and milk in a mixing bowl, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until no lumps appear. Chill until ready to assemble. In another mixing bowl, stir strawberries, sugar, vinegar, and pepper together. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste together and chill until ready to serve.
To assemble: take one lasagna noodle and spread an even layer of the ricotta cheese mixture on top, about 1/2 inch in thickness. Next, spread a layer of strawberries on top of the ricotta, except for about 2 inches on one end. Carefully roll the noodle onto itself, toward the end with no strawberries until it is sitting on top of itself in a roll. Before serving, top with more strawberries, diced kiwi, and a drizzle of sweetened cream. Makes 6-8 servings.
HINT: The higher quality ricotta you choose, the better this will taste. Don't skimp!
HINT: Substitute the vanilla pudding mix with other pudding flavors like cheesecake, lemon, or coconut cream for a fun alternative.
Check out our other dessert fake-outs,
Hamburger Whoopie Pies, and
Dessert Nachos.
