This study investigated the relationship between the mechanical properties and the sensorial optimal cooking time (OCT) of spaghetti. Three semolina spaghetti samples with an increasing radius and three non-conventional spaghetti samples (one wholemeal semolina and two maize-based spaghetti) were analyzed. Tenacity, elongation at break and phase shift angle (tan delta) were monitored during the cooking and overcooking of spaghetti using a dynamic mechanical analyzer. The sensorial OCT was also determined by a trained panel. Results highlight that the mechanical parameters are related with the OCT for all investigated spaghetti samples. In particular, a relationship was observed with elongation at break and tan delta. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.