Be careful. If you start your planning with the expectation that DLR doesn't match up to WDW, you're setting yourself up to be disappointed.
There are many locals, myself included, that go to the parks regularly and eat at both the quick service and table services restaurants. Just because we don't spend the night doesn't mean that we don't dine at the parks, at the hotels and in DTD.
There was a previous thread rating the different mac n cheese dishes throughout the parks. Maybe someone else can remember the name of the thread. Regardless, mac n cheese is offered at
Disneyland
- Galactic Grill
- Hungry Bear
- Jolly Holiday
- Refreshment Corner
- Tiana's Place
California Adventure
- Aunt Cass Cafe
- Cozy Cone
- Flo's V8 Cafe
I asked when you are visiting, because DCA often has special food events. Right now there are several specialty mac n cheese dishes at the Food and Wine booths.
For quick serve, you might look at
Mexican: Rancho del Zocalo & Cocina Cucamonga
Asian: Tropical Hideaway & San Fransokyo (Lucky Fortune Cookery & Aunt Cass Cafe Japanese curry bowl)
Mediterranean: Paradise Garden Grill
For reservation/sit down, in addition to what I listed above, you might consider Wine Country Trattoria, River Belle, Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe.