When it comes to choosing easy dip recipes... well, you've really got to move away from the old onion soup and sour cream dip.

Just walk away and don't look back! It's old, it's tired, and while it's tasty, it's nearly become a cliché! Besides, you know that Aunt Martha is going to bring it to the family reunion anyway. So, why not bring something more exciting that no one is expecting? Bring something with… pizzazz.

A lot of simple recipes for dip are incredibly easy to make. They require few ingredients, very little mixing and they taste fantastic. In fact, you can show off your creative flair with an easy dip recipe that will have your friends and family raving and demanding to know how you did what you did!

Looking for a dessert-y dip? When you're done here, check out some of these fruit dip recipes!

If you're looking for easy dip recipes that taste really good and don't really LOOK easy, this is your recipe. It takes two ingredients, a little time in the oven, and... viola! Done. Easy as could be.

Serve this simple recipe for dip with chunks of baguette or garlic breads. Heavenly! Or complicate it up by adding anything you like-- chopped pepperoni or sausage for a pizza flavored dip, some shredded mozzarella for a gooey cheesy dip... you name it.

But the basic version, below, tastes divine just as is.

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Ingredients:
2 C. marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
1 log soft goat cheese

Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Pour the marinara into a pie plate or other small, shallow pan.

3. Place goat cheese in middle of marinara.

4. Cover and bake 15-20 minutes, til cheese is softened (but not really melted, per se) and marinara is bubbly.

5. Serve hot.

Note: Feel like going to a little extra effort? This easy dip recipe is even better with some julienned fresh basil and freshly grated parmesan sprinkled over the top right before serving.

Starting with a hot horseradish crab dip that only has four ingredients, how can you really go wrong? It's got a horseradish-y bite that really comes alive, but it's simple enough that it's the flavor of the crab dip that's highlighted most.

Most cream-cheese-based crab dips tend to be easy dip recipes. So check this page full of cream cheese crab dip recipes for some more ideas.

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Ingredients:
12 oz. crabmeat, flaked
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 tbs. prepared horseradish
1-2 drops Worcestershire sauce

Directions: 1. Mix all your ingredients together in a microwave safe mixing bowl.

2. Heat in the Microwave (set on high) for three minutes until it's bubbly and heated through. Serve with any type of breads or crackers that you enjoy.

Note: What's the most fun about this dip recipe is that you can easily change it. Use finely minced shrimp or lobster instead of crab, for example. Or add crumbled bacon to the blend. YUM!

This a wonderful easy dip recipe to make for a football game (a perfect Super Bowl snack recipe!), and it's simple, rich, and surprisingly flavorful.

While great with raw veggies, chips, and crackers, the best dipper for this recipe has got to be pretzels! So stock up. And be sure to refrigerate at least one night, and maybe even two. It needs the time for the flavors to develop.

Makes about 4 Cups of Dip.

• Print this Recipe

Ingredients:
2 (8 oz each) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 package ranch dressing mix
2 C. grated sharp cheddar
1/2 C. green onions, chopped
1/3-1/2 cup beer (choose a flavorful one, but not TOO strong)
1/3 C. bacon bits (optional)

Instructions: 1. With an electric mixer on low speed, combine ranch mix and cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl until fluffy and well combined.

2. Beat or stir in remaining ingredients, mixing in beer bit by bit until you get a texture you like.

3. Scoop into a serving bowl, cover, and chill one or two nights before serving.