Thin-Crust New York Style Pizza with Midwest Sausage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

A hand-stretched thin crust pizza topped with savory Midwest sausage, melted mozzarella, and a bright tomato sauce for a perfect balance of flavors. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 87 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 480 calories and feeds 4, 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

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

The pizza stone or steel we’d bake this on → Best Pizza Stones and Steels for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tsp sugar in 1 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt. Add the yeast mixture and 2 tbsp olive oil, stirring until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: While dough rises, cook 8 oz Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces and cooking for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat and set aside.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 500°F with a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet inside.
6. Step 6: In a small saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 cup crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
7. Step 7: Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 14-inch thin circle. Transfer to a pizza peel or parchment paper.
8. Step 8: Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and cooked sausage evenly on top. Scatter 6 torn fresh basil leaves.
9. Step 9: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone and bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
10. Step 10: Remove from oven, let cool for 3 minutes, slice, and serve.