Lemon Lasagna – A Tangy Twist on an Italian Classic
Lasagna is a beloved Italian comfort food, typically made by layering noodles, cheese, tomato sauce, and meat. But this classic dish can handle some fresh twists too! Enter lemon lasagna – a sweet and tangy spin on lasagna that willbrighten up your dinner table.
The star ingredient in lemon lasagna is, not surprisingly, lemons! Their bright, citrusy flavor cuts through the richness of the dish beautifully. And while traditional lasagna uses red sauce, lemon lasagna highlights a luscious lemon curd instead. Tangy, creamy, and smooth, the lemon curd becomes the glue that holds each sweet layer together into a decadent whole.
Constructing Lemon Lasagna
Like traditional lasagna, lemon lasagna is built in layers. But instead of wide flat noodles, lemon lasagna uses slender ladyfingers or savoiardi cookies, or a cookie substitute like graham crackers in this instance. Their crisp bite and sweet flavor pair divinely with the lush lemon curd and clouds of sweetened ricotta cheese. Here’s how it comes together, layer by layer:
The Cookie layer: The graham cracked crust forms the base of this recipe. Their mild sweetness and texture contrast beautifully with the lushness of the filling.
The Lemon Curd: What would lemon lasagna be without bright, tangy lemon curd? This rich custard-like spread made from lemon juice, eggs, butter, and sugar binds each layer together. The curd should be vibrantly lemony and smooth as silk.
The Ricotta Filling: Fluffy, sweetened ricotta cheese makes the perfect pairing for tart lemon curd. Whipped with sugar and vanilla or lemon zest, the ricotta filling adds substance, creaminess, and the essence of traditional lasagna.
Constructing the lasagna itself is simple. Just layer the ingredients according to your preferences in a rectangular baking dish. Most recipes call for three repetitions of cookies, lemon curd, and ricotta filling. But you can add more layers for a taller lasagna if desired. Just be sure the top layer is lemon curd so it bubbles up attractively as it bakes.
Once your lasagna is assembled, bake until heated through and golden on top, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes once out of the oven so the filling can set. Then slice into squares and serve warm or at room temperature. Feel free to add an extra dollop of lemon curd or dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
Lemon Lasagna Dessert Variations
While the classic recipe is perfect as is, lemon lasagna also plays nicely with a few other flavors. Consider mixing up your layers with one of these creative combinations:
–Lemon Raspberry Lasagna: Mix fresh or frozen raspberries into the ricotta layers for a bright, fruity twist.
–Lemon Blueberry Lasagna: Swap blueberries for raspberries to emphasize the lemon flavors.
–Lemon Lavender Lasagna: Add a teaspoon or two of dried culinary lavender to the lemon curd for a floral twist.
–White Chocolate Lemon Lasagna: Shredded white chocolate melts beautifully into the hot lemon curd.
–Lemon Coconut Cream Lasagna: For the dairy-free crowd, layers of coconut cream make an ideal substitute for the ricotta filling.
You can also substitute the cookies with ladyfingers, or other cookies like vanilla wafers, ginger snaps, or lemon cookies. Just look for something with enough structure to support the luscious lemon filling.
How long can lemon lasagna keep for?
Lemon lasagna keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. The cookies soften over time but still taste delicious. You can also freeze slices for up to 3 months, tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
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Bright, sweet, and intensely lemony, lemon lasagna makes the ultimate summery treat when seasonal lemons are at their best. Something about the rich yet airy layers transports you straight to the Italian coastline. It’s easy to see why it has earned the name “Lemon Lush Lasagna!”
This lush lemon bar dessert certainly lives up to its moniker. With its decadent layers of lush lemon curd, sweet ladyfingers, and airy ricotta filling, each bite tastes like summer. Tart lemon cuts through the sweetness while clouds of ricotta add rich, creamy contrast in both flavor and texture. Lemon lasagna brims with flavors that complement and enhance each other in perfect harmony.
Sure to be a new favorite dessert, lemon lasagna looks impressive but miraculously comes together in just 30 minutes. Kids and adults alike will love digging their forks through the pretty striated layers. The portion size makes it perfect for potlucks or small gatherings where you need easy make-ahead fare. Or keep a pan tucked away in your fridge for whenever that lemon dessert craving strikes!
This lush lemony treat offers endless versatility too. Go the traditional route with simple ricotta filling or mix in berries, chocolate, herbs, or spice. You can even substitute the cookie layers with vanilla wafers or gingersnaps if you prefer. No matter which way you slice it, lemon lasagna always adds up to sweet citrusy perfection.
Lemon Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1 cup lemon curd
Instructions
Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust:
- In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to form the crust.
- Chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and granulated sugar, continuing to beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- Add vanilla extract and lemon zest, ensuring a homogeneous blend.
Assemble the Layers:
- Retrieve the graham cracker crust from the refrigerator.
- Spread half of the cream cheese filling over the crust, creating an even layer.
- Carefully dollop half of the lemon curd over the cream cheese filling.
- Repeat the process with another layer of cream cheese filling and lemon curd.
Garnish and Chill:
- Sprinkle additional graham cracker crumbs and lemon zest on top for a decorative touch.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve and enjoy:
- Once chilled, cut into squares and serve chilled.
- Optionally, garnish each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and a slice of fresh lemon for a visually appealing presentation.