Texas-Style Giant Thin Crust Pizza with Spicy Sausage

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

A massive 30-inch thin crust pizza loaded with spicy sausage, mozzarella, and a smoky tomato sauce, perfect for sharing. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 120 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 2 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 3 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup, torn fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 2 1/4 cups warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Stir in 6 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp salt, and 3 tbsp olive oil. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by combining 3 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened and fragrant. Set aside.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 500°F and place a pizza stone on the middle rack to heat.
5. Step 5: Divide dough in half and roll out one half on a floured surface into a 15-inch circle, then carefully stretch to about 30 inches on a large pizza peel or baking sheet dusted with flour.
6. Step 6: Spread 1 1/2 cups of the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Crumble 1/2 lb spicy Italian sausage evenly on top.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan over the pizza.
8. Step 8: Slide pizza onto the preheated stone and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the crust is crispy and cheese is bubbling and golden.
9. Step 9: Remove pizza and scatter 2 tbsp torn fresh basil leaves before slicing. Repeat with remaining dough and toppings for second pizza.