Top party dips recipes can be sweet, savory, and the perfect solution for your party. Image: Flickr / peyri / CC-BY-ND

When you’ve got a crew of people coming over, the top party dips recipes can save your day. You shouldn’t have to spend hours in the kitchen, you should be enjoying yourself. Dips can be more than appetizers — they can even take the place of dinner.

Top party dips recipes – layered

A classic layered party dip is easy to put together, and can be customized to your favorites. Layer equal amounts of refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, olives, and tortilla chips in a casserole dish or deep serving platter.

Top sour cream party dips recipes

A sour cream dip is a classic addition to any party event. With just a few different additions, you can make a few different dips. The classic sour cream party dip combines sour cream and ranch salad dressing. For a new twist, try mixing a pound of sour cream with a small bag of frozen chopped spinach, a can of chopped water chestnuts, and a single package of dry ranch dressing mix.

Warm artichoke dip recipe

If you want something warm that you can pop in the oven and have ready when guests come over, a warm artichoke dip is definitely a top party dips recipe. Combine 2 cups chopped artichoke hearts with 1 6 ounce package cream cheese, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cloves chopped garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Warm in a microwave or 250 degree oven for fifteen minutes.

Creamy fruit dip – a top party dips recipe

Sure, most top party dips recipes are savory, great for dipping bread, vegetables, or even deli meats in. What dinner or party is complete without some kind of dessert, though? A creamy fruit dip can be made in multiple flavors and give a great dip for pineapple, apples, bananas, or anything sweet. Mix 1 8 ounce jar marshmallow cream with 1 6-ounce block of cream cheese and 1/4 cup fruit jam or jelly for flavor.

Top party dips recipes – Flavored hummus

Let the Crock-pot do your heavy lifting for turkey soup. Image: Flickr / _e.t / CC-BY-SA

Now that you’ve got a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers, turkey soup sounds like a pretty good idea. Turkey soup may sound like the same old idea, but you can make it fresh. Turkey soup can use Thanksgiving leftovers and still feel like a fresh new meal.

Turkey soup basics

The day after Thanksgiving, the last thing you want to do is spend the day cooking. Turkey soup is the perfect solution – it not only uses leftovers, but can be thrown together very quickly and easily. Soup is an inexact science – if you don’t have “enough” of something or “too much” of something else, it is usually fine. Just remember to reheat everything to at least 160 degrees for safety’s sake.

Creamy crockpot turkey soup recipe

When the snow is flying and temperatures are dropping, a warm and creamy soup is the perfect thing. First, combine 1-2 cups leftover onions, celery, garlic, carrots, or stuffing vegetables that weren’t used with 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil. Saute in a pan over medium-high until they’re softened and fragrant. Mix in a crockpot with 2-3 cups leftover mashed potatoes and 1-2 cups chopped leftover turkey. Add enough chicken stock to thin the mixture into a turkey soup and 2 tablespoons dill. Put the crockpot on medium until it is heated through. Right before serving, mix in a bit of leftover sour cream or whipping cream and a handful of shredded cheese.

Savory turkey soup recipe

If you’re in the warmer climates and a thick, creamy turkey soup feels like a little too much, you have other options.First, combine 1-2 cups leftover onions, celery, garlic, carrots, or stuffing vegetables that weren’t used with 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil. Saute in a soup pot medium-high until they’re softened and fragrant. Add 2-3 cups chopped turkey and 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth. Season with basil, oregano, and pepper. Cook until heated through.

There is more to Thanksgiving dinner than turkey. (Photo: richcianci/Flickr/CC BY-ND)

Every year I struggle with the questions of what to make for Thanksgiving dinner. I either have too many ideas or I can’t come up with enough. So this year I have compiled a list of ideas for Thanksgiving dinner to help others put together their ideas of a perfect dinner, with or without a payday loan.

Thanksgiving dinner menu

Keep in mind that the possibilities are endless. Everyone loves family traditions, but maybe this year you can add a twist. Here are some ideas that might help you plan your own Thanksgiving holiday dinner.

Appetizers and Snacks

• Cheese Balls or logs
• Meat and cheese platters
• Veggie Tray – black and green olives, green beans, pickles, cucumbers, celery and green beans
• Fruit tray – any fresh fruit in season
• Deviled eggs

Sides

• Candied yams or sweet potatoes
• Bread rolls of any type
• Cornbread
• Mashed Potatoes – garlic is a classic
• Corn – on the cob or otherwise
• Stuffing
• Gravy – country, brown, turkey or any other flavor of your choice
• Salad – any type and with any dressing
• Fruit salad

Main course

• Turkey – with or without stuffing
• Ham

Desserts

• Pumpkin pie
• Chocolate cream pie
• Apple pie
• Cherry pie
• Just about any type of fruit pie – whipped cream on top is a delectable option
• Pecan pie
• Mincemeat pie

This could be the start of a good Thanksgiving dinner

You don’t have to make all the items on this list — just pick out the ones that work for you and your family. Don’t do more than you can; the stress certainly isn’t worth it. Thanksgiving can run up a pretty large bill, so if you need a little help to finance your Thanksgiving dinner, you could consider taking out a payday cash advance loan. Above all else, remember, Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude. Nobody will expect a perfect dinner; people are usually happy with just the effort put into it.