Festive Layered Casserole: Savory Holiday Perfection:

A Sweet Surprise for the Holidays

I call this my Christmas Lasagna. My grandson gave it that name years ago. He saw all the colorful layers in the fridge. He thought it was the fanciest pasta he had ever seen. I still laugh at that.

It is not pasta at all. It is a sweet, creamy, and festive treat. It looks so pretty with its red, white, and green stripes. It is perfect for a holiday party. What is your favorite holiday dessert to share with family?

The Heart of the Dish

Let us talk about that first layer. It starts with a simple red velvet cake mix. You just mix it with oil, eggs, and vanilla. The batter will be thick, like brownies. Do not worry, that is how it should be.

Baking it makes the whole house smell like chocolate and warmth. That smell is part of the holiday magic. It tells everyone that something good is coming. This matters because food is more than eating. It is about creating happy memories for the people you love.

The Cool and Creamy Layers

Next comes the creamy white cheese layer. You must make sure your cream cheese is soft. This makes it smooth and easy to spread. No one wants lumpy cream cheese.

Then we make the green layer. It is just pudding, milk, and a little peppermint. The green color makes it so cheerful. *Fun fact: The original Andes mints were created in Chicago back in 1921.* Does your family have a special candy they only eat during the holidays?

Putting It All Together

Now for the fun part. You get to build your lasagna. Spread the cream cheese carefully over the cool red cake. Then, gently add the green pudding. The key is to be patient and gentle.

Finally, you add the fluffy Cool Whip and all those chopped mints. It looks like a winter wonderland in a dish. Doesn’t that look amazing? The hardest part is waiting for it to chill. You have to let it sit in the fridge for a few hours.

Why This Recipe is Special

This recipe is not difficult. But it looks like you worked for hours. That is its little secret. It lets you spend less time in the kitchen. Then you have more time to spend with your guests.

This matters because the holidays are about people. The food is just a way to bring everyone together. Sharing a dish you made with love is a wonderful feeling. What is one dish that always makes you think of family?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
red velvet cake mix	15.25 ounces	I used Duncan Hines brand
vegetable oil	½ cup
eggs	2 large	room temperature
vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
cream cheese	16 ounces	room temperature
powdered sugar	1¾ cups
vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
salt	½ teaspoon
whole milk	2 cups	very cold
white chocolate instant pudding	3.4 ounces
peppermint extract	½ teaspoon
green gel food coloring	½ teaspoon
Cool Whip whipped topping	8 ounces	thawed
original Andes mint candies	14	unwrapped & chopped
peppermint crunch Andes mint candies	14	unwrapped & chopped

My Festive Christmas Lasagna

Let me tell you about my Christmas Lasagna. My grandson gave it that funny name. He saw all the colorful layers and just laughed. I still laugh at that. It’s not a real lasagna, of course. It’s a sweet, festive treat that’s perfect for sharing.

It has a rich red velvet base, just like a brownie. Then comes a creamy, dreamy cheesecake layer. The top is a cool, minty green pudding. Doesn’t that sound amazing? It’s our family’s favorite holiday dessert. Everyone always asks for the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• Ingredients listed on cake mix box (typically oil, eggs, water)
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 packages (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 cups cold milk
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Green food coloring
• 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
• 1 cup Andes mints, chopped

Instructions

Step 1: First, let’s make the red velvet base. Heat your oven to 350°F. Mix the cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a big bowl. You’ll get a thick, lovely batter. Spread it evenly in your baking dish.

Step 2: Now, bake that red layer for about 20 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean. Let it cool on the counter. This is a good time to make the other layers. (A hard-learned tip: Let it cool completely! A warm base will melt your creamy layers.)

Step 3: For the white layer, beat the cream cheese until it’s smooth. I love how fluffy it gets. Then mix in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Cover it and pop it in the fridge. This keeps it nice and firm for spreading later.

Step 4: The green layer is so fun to make. Whisk the cold milk, pudding mix, and peppermint extract together. Add that green food coloring until it’s a pretty holiday green. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Refrigerate this too while you wait.

Step 5: Time to build our lasagna! Spread the white cream cheese over the cool red base. Be gentle so the layers stay separate. Then, carefully spread the green pudding on top. The colors look so cheerful together.

Step 6: Finally, spread the Cool Whip over everything. Sprinkle all those chopped Andes mints on top. Now, the hard part is waiting. You must chill it for at least four hours. What’s your favorite part of this recipe? Share below!

Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Dessert, Holiday

Fun Twists on a Holiday Classic

This recipe is wonderful as it is. But you can also make it your own. I love getting creative in the kitchen. Here are a few simple ideas to try. They are all so delicious.

Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Use chocolate cake mix for the base. Add mini chocolate chips to the cream cheese layer.

Fruity Festive: Skip the peppermint. Use cherry extract in the pudding layer. Top with fresh red cherries.

Cookie Crunch: Add a layer of crushed Oreos between the cream cheese and pudding. It gives a wonderful crunch.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Sweet Masterpiece

This dessert is a real showstopper. I like to cut it into neat squares. Serve it on a pretty red or green plate. A little extra mint on the side looks lovely. It’s a sweet ending to any big holiday meal.

For a drink, a hot cup of coffee is perfect. It balances the sweetness so well. For a special treat, a small glass of peppermint schnapps is nice. The flavors just sing together.

Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Holiday Casserole Fresh

This casserole keeps beautifully in the fridge. Just cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to three days. You can also freeze it for a month. I always use a freezer-safe container. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

I once brought this to a church potluck. I made two dishes the night before. It saved me so much time the next day. Batch cooking lets you enjoy the party more. You are not stuck in the kitchen all day.

Storing food well means less waste. It also gives you a ready-made treat for guests. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Casserole Troubles

Is your cream cheese layer lumpy? Make sure the cheese is very soft. I take mine out of the fridge hours ahead. I remember when my first layer was full of little lumps. Smooth layers make the dessert look extra special.

Is the green pudding too runny? Your milk must be very cold. This helps the pudding set properly. A firm pudding layer is easier to spread. It keeps the beautiful layers separate.

Did the red velvet layer stick? Always use a glass dish and spray it well. This simple step makes serving so much easier. Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Casserole Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use a gluten-free red velvet cake mix. The other layers are already gluten-free.

Q: How far ahead can I make it? A: You can assemble it the day before. The flavors get even better overnight.

Q: What can I use instead of Cool Whip? A: You can use real whipped cream. Just whip two cups of heavy cream with a little sugar.

Q: Can I make a smaller version? A: Absolutely. Halve all the ingredients. Use an 8×8 inch pan instead.

Q: Is the food coloring required? A: No, it is just for fun. The mint flavor will still be there. *Fun fact: The original red velvet cake got its color from a chemical reaction, not food dye!* Which tip will you try first?

A Sweet Send-Off from My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe brings joy to your table. It is a favorite in my family. My grandkids always ask for it. Making it together creates the best memories.

I would love to see your creation. Your version might give me a new idea. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! Sharing our kitchen stories connects us all.

Happy cooking! —Lena Morales.