1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (or higher if possible) and, if using a pizza stone, allow it to preheat for 20 minutes.
2. On a floured surface, gently stretch and knead your pizza dough until it forms a 12-14 inch circle with slightly thicker edges for the crust.
3. Transfer the prepared dough onto a round baking pan, pizza stone, or cookie sheet dusted with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
4. Lightly brush the surface of the dough with olive oil to create a barrier against the sauce soaking into the crust.
5. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough.
6. Add dollops of pizza sauce over the cheese and distribute them evenly, leaving some room near the edges for the crust.
7. Layer the pizza with thinly sliced pepperoni, arranging it evenly across the surface.
8. If desired, add any optional toppings like extra parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or sliced vegetables.
9. Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
10. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for 1-2 minutes before slicing.
11. Slice the pizza into portions, serve hot, and enjoy!