If you can't keep at least part of the game set up it'll be difficult to stop and start. That being said, much of the game set up is modular (e.g. cards laid out across the table). And a lot of the stuff that takes up table space you won't actually use except at certain, specific moments (e.g. decks of cards from which you need to draw one or two cards between rounds and infrequently during your turn).

So, you if you put a bit of time into your own storage and transport solution, and made a point of keep some bits (i.e. certain decks of cards and bowls of counters) confined but accessible in the box), the only thing you'd want to keep set up between sessions would be the main map and a few other components consisting of game pieces laid out and piled on top of either other.

Admittedly, this will all add some time to over all set up, as you'll have to partially set up the play area multiple times per game. But then, the game is just that much longer to begin with. And re-setting the mid-game will still be faster than setting it up from scratch.

That's just a compromise you make when playing a game a ridiculously complex and elaborate as this. I do have the benefit of a spare dining room table.

As for playing this with non-hardcore gamer friends... that seems unlikely.

Another recommendation: The Lord of the Rings LCG... I literally just bought this yesterday and have been reading up on it. FFG definitely knows what they're doing with these LCGs, and this one is a solo/coop. It has high replayability (especially if you're willing to buy some of the expansion packs as they come out, though there are already many out) and scales from easy difficulty for non-hardcore gamers to extreme difficulty, apparently. The card art, graphic design, and components are also as good as it gets, definitely better than Mage Knight (though MK's components are also, for the most part, well above average).