A very good trusted acquaintance prepared her lunch and advise me she was being me a dish :) I was and am thankful she thought of me and I thank her. Problem is the pasta dish doesn't taste good, I fridge it, still doesn't taste good? I jazzed it up with a little salad dressing still does taste good. Problem I don't want to tell her I liked it, because she may want to give me more. What can I say if she ask me if I liked it and/or if I want more?

I would thank her for her thoughtfulness, and if she asks I would just say I appreciate the effort , but it just wasn't your cup of tea.

Hi JNicka,

I would just use smiles and humour here...

"YOU are the one I love...the pasta, not so much to my taste. I ate it and enjoyed it mainly because it comes from you, who are my dear friend."

"Gawd, no Sandra, I can't possibly eat that! It tasted like boiled weasel!

That should work.

It did for me. No-one ever cooks for me now.

Graciously accept it and toss it out when she leaves.

Maybe you could add some spices or a nice sauce before you reheat it to change the flavour. If even that won't fix it you could always dig a hole in the back yard and plant it. It might grow into a pasta tree. :)

Tell her how much you appreciate her effort and thoughtfulness for doing what she did.

But then tell her the truth, gently.  Perhaps just mention that you are pretty singular in your enjoyment of pasta in so far as type and what's included in the dish.

She may be disappointed, but she should get over it.

If she doesn't, the gift wasn't really for you---it was for her to make her feel good.