Copycat Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna

Name: Copycat Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 Brownie Box Mix (plus ingredients listed on box - typically 2 eggs, 3 tbsp water & 1/2 cup oil); 2 eggs; 8 ounces cream cheese; ¾ cup unsalted butter; 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon heavy cream; ⅓ cup heavy cream; 2 ounces semisweet chocolate; Chocolate shavings (for garnish)

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Impress everyone with this Copycat Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna! Featuring decadent layers of fudgy brownie cake with rich layers of vanilla cream cheese frosting, this chocolate dessert tastes even better than the original.

Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna from above

Olive Garden’s chocolate lasagna is one of those desserts that dreams are made of! Rich chocolate, creamy filling is piled high with a ganache topping…it just doesn’t get better than that.

Though Olive Garden keeps it a top secret recipe, this homemade version is about as close as you can get. That means you can enjoy that gorgeous chocolatey dessert any time the craving hits, right in your own home.This simple recipe starts with a box of brownie mix. It may take a little bit of patience to get the layers to line up, but once the brownies are baked it literally only takes minutes to assemble this lasagna dessert.

If you love recipes that use brownie mixes as a main ingredient, you should also check out this Brownie Ice Cream Cake, Buckeye Brownies and these Brownie Mix Cookies.

Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna with white background

Why We Love This Recipe

Makes an impressive dessert but is so much easier to make and assemble than it looks.
Has a delicious combination of rich brownie chocolate cake and layer buttercream frosting.
Chocolatey sweet treat that’s perfect for parties, potlucks or special occasions.
It’s perfect for when you’re in the mood for Olive Garden but don’t want to leave the house. You can even serve it with this tasty Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta or Olive Garden Chicken Margherita!

🔪 Recommended Tools

9×11 Baking Sheet
Electric Mixer
Parchment Paper
Small Pot
Large Mixing Bowl
Measuring Cups

Ingredients

For The Brownie Layer

Brownie Box Mix (plus ingredients listed on brownie box)
Additional Eggs

For The Buttercream Frosting

Cream cheese
Unsalted butter
Vanilla extract
Heavy cream
Powdered sugar

For The Chocolate Ganache:

Heavy cream
Semi-sweet chocolate chips

For The Garnish:

Chocolate shavings

How to Make Olive Gardens Brownie Lasagna

To Make the Brownie Layers

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or whatever temperature your brownie box mix says. Spray a 9×11 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 1. Mix together the brownie mix with its ingredients and add the extra 2 eggs.

Step 2. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan, then spread the mixture evenly with a rubber spatula.

Step 3. Bake the brownies about 10-15 minutes or until a toothpick stuck into the brownie comes out clean.

To Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1. While the brownies are baking, combine soft butter and cream cheese in a large bowl. Cream together with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth.

Step 2. Add one cup of the powdered sugar and beat on low speed until incorporated into the butter and cream cheese. Beat until fluffy.

Step 3. Pour in the vanilla extract and heavy cream, mixing together completely.

Frosting for Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna

Step 4. Slowly continue to add the remaining cups of the powdered sugar, beating the mixture well in between intervals.

Adding more powdered sugar to frosting mixture

To Assemble Lasagna

Step 1. Once the brownies are out of the oven, let cool completely.

Step 2. Cut the large slab of brownies vertically into three even pieces.

Tip: Though not required, you can use a measuring tape to make sure you have even size layers.

Step 3. Place the bottom slice on a sheet of parchment paper.

Step 4. Smear with a thick layer butter cream cheese frosting.

Step 5. Place the next layer on top and add another layer of cream cheese filling.

Step 6. Finally add the top brownie layer and the remaining frosting, then place in the refrigerator to set up.

Brownie cake topped with buttercream frosting

To Make the Ganache

Step 1. In a small pot, heat the heavy cream for the ganache.

Step 2. Add the semisweet chocolate in a heat safe bowl. As soon as the cream begins to boil, pour the hot cream over the chocolate.

Step 3. Whisk together until all the chocolate is completely melted.

To Garnish

Step 1. Take the layered chocolate lasagna and drizzle the chocolate ganache over the top

Chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and ganache drizzled over it

Step 2. Garnish the top of the cake with chocolate shavings for an added bonus.

Enjoy!

Why is it Called Lasagna?

Dessert lasagna is just a fancy way of saying layered dessert, just like the savory version that has sheets of pasta layered with meat sauce.

Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna on parchment paper

Can I Make This Dessert in Advance

You can make chocolate lasagna a day or two in advance, though it would be best to wait until right before serving it to add the chocolate ganache topping.

Can I Freeze Leftovers?

While this dessert is best when it’s served freshly made, you can certainly freeze the leftovers.

For best results, place the dessert in an airtight container or on a freezer safe dessert plate. Double wrap it in plastic wrap, then with a layer of foil. It should be eaten within a month of freezing.

Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna slice up close

Brownie Lasagna Variations

Texture: The added eggs help give the brownie a more cake-like texture. If you prefer layers of fudgy brownie, you can leave out one of the eggs.

Garnishes: The chocolate drizzle gives the cake a special touch, but you can also add other toppings like chocolate chips, Cool Whip, chopped pecans or walnuts. You can also dust the top layer with a little bit of cocoa powder.

Frosting: We use cream cheese for the frosting, but you can also use equal parts mascarpone cheese if you prefer. Make this a triple chocolate lasagna by using a chocolate buttercream as a filling.

Ganache: instead of the homemade chocolate ganache you can use a simple store-bought chocolate syrup instead (though the ganache is really delicious).