Preheat the oven to its highest temperature
Place the pizza stone in the oven while it preheats
Heat the stone for at least 30 to 45 minutes
Prepare the pizza on parchment paper or a floured pizza peel
Stretch or roll the dough to the desired size
Add sauce, cheese, and toppings
Dust the pizza peel with flour or cornmeal if using one
Slide the pizza onto the hot stone
Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted
Rotate the pizza halfway through baking if needed
Remove the pizza with a peel or spatula
Let the pizza cool briefly before slicing
Turn off the oven and let the stone cool inside the oven