I make sure the noodles are covered with Alfredo so they don't dry out. I don't grease the pan because I don't let it get that hot.

This is a favorite of my boys but when they dished up the noodles and spooned on the alfredo separately it was mess to clean up. And the cooked noodles dried out quickly. Now I put it all in glass 9x13 pan and heat it so it is easier for them to dish up.

I feed a family of six. I use 1 to 1 1/2lb of mustacholli noodles (1 and 1/2 box), two jars of alfredo and a couple handfulls of chicken (that was cooked previously and frozen.)

Serve with a green vegetable and garlic bread.

This isn't fancy but it is easy.

That's dinner tomorrow night at our house, thanks Mrs. A.

I can't imagine how difficult this would be for a family. My wife and I both teach in the evenings and it's one of the reasons we decided not to have kids. Works out fine with just the two of us as whoever finishes teaching first does the cooking. The only problem I have is that my wife often runs late with her last student so I never quite know when to get things ready for.

BTW, what's a 'crock pot'?

I've been wondering what a "crock pot" is too!

I always taught back to back and skipped dinner- just ate late when I was finished teaching, but then I was very ill and ended up in hospital. My doctor nearly killed me for not eating regularly (I've been a diabetic for many years).
Now I make sure to take a break for 30 mins at 5.30 each evening. Whatever about eating, I find it's great to take a break from students and clear my head before I start on round 2 for the evening!
I usually try to cook earlier in the day and have my dinner ready to zap in the microwave, or else I eat salads, or sometimes it's just beans on toast which doesn't take long to do.
It's important to eat, no matter what the state of your health. I learned the hard way

I used to live overseas, and the thing I missed the most was my crock pot! It is possible to find them for 220 volts. Here's one:

http://www.eastwestintl.com/showprod.asp?catid=65

(If the link doesn't work, google European crock pot). The problem I had with Internet orders is that most only shipped to the US (intended for US military overseas.)

It is a slow cooker that plugs in and cooks all day without burning. Most meals are ready in 8 to 12 hours, and it doesn't matter if it cooks longer. Meat becomes very tender in it, and it is safe to leave alone. I bought one in Europe at an Edeka restaurant supply store. It wasn't as good as the ones in the US - did tend to burn if left too long - but it did the job.

Luckily it's just myself and my husband here, and I teach from home. I have a self-imposed cut-off time of 7:30pm for teaching because I really value my evenings with my husband. He usually gets home around 7.

I try to get as much prepared for dinner as I can in advance. (pre-chop veggies, etc.) I get dinner ready by 8. We are just used to eating at that time.

I know this doesn't work for everyone because you may have kids, or you may need to teach in the later evenings to make enough income. I feel really lucky to have the schedule I do.