(Credit: © Andrei Dzemidzenka | Dreamstime.com)

NEW YORK — When was the last time you tried something new on your pizza? If you’re like many Americans, it’s probably been a while. A new survey shows that one in seven people across the country have been ordering the exact same pizza for more than five years straight.

The nationwide study of 5,000 Americans, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Tabasco, revealed that most of us last switched up our pizza order about two years ago. And while 57% of people say they’d like to try new pizza combinations, they’re not sure where to start.

One way people are adding variety to their pizzas? Spice. Half of those surveyed believe that a little heat makes their pizza taste better. New Mexico and Hawaii lead the pack in spicing things up, with 58% of people in both states adding extra kick to their pizzas. California (55%) and Texas (53%) aren’t far behind.

On the flip side, Michigan and South Carolina seem to prefer keeping things mild — only 31% of people in these states add spice to their pizzas. Michigan, in particular, appears to be especially set in its ways, with 11% of residents saying they’ve never even tried a new type of pizza.

When it comes to sticking with what they know, Indiana and Vermont take the crown. An impressive 95% of people in both states say they always order the same toppings.

“It’s interesting to see that Americans are stuck in their same-old pizza habits but are craving something new and exciting,” said Kate Neuhaus, Director of Global Marketing Communications at McIlhenny Company, in a statement. “This National Hot Sauce Day, we encourage pizza fans to light up their slices with a sauce that brings heat and flavor.”

Speaking of spice tolerance, the survey asked people to rate their love of heat on a scale of 1 to 10. New Mexico came in hottest at 6.1, followed by California at 5.7. Surprisingly, chilly Alaska ranked third at 5.6.

The survey also uncovered some quirky eating habits across the country. In Georgia, 40% of people start with the crust first. Over in Illinois, most people (53%) prefer using a fork and knife instead of their hands. And don’t try to convince someone from Minnesota to fold their pizza: 66% say they absolutely won’t do it.

How often are Americans eating pizza? Iowa residents lead the pack, averaging five pizza meals per month. Alaska (4.7 times) and North Dakota (4.9 times) aren’t far behind. When it comes to family pizza nights, Louisiana families get together most often, averaging 3.5 times per month. Connecticut (3.4) and Iowa (3.3) follow closely. Interestingly, New York, famous for its pizza culture, only averages 2.8 family pizza nights monthly.

Louisiana residents also take the crown for eating the most slices in one sitting, averaging 3.3 pieces. And across every single state, Friday night remains the undisputed champion for pizza ordering.

What kinds of pizza are people ordering? Pepperoni dominates in many states, including New York, Texas, and California. Meat lover’s pizza has a strong following too, while Supreme pizza tops the charts in states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Montana. Massachusetts stands out from the crowd with its preference for veggie pizzas.

“It’s no surprise to us that Americans love pizza and eat it multiple times a month,” added Neuhaus. “Whether you’re a fan of Hawaiian or Meat Lover’s, New York style or Chicago deep dish, a dash of hot sauce is the best way to make your pizza more exciting.”