Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place a 12x15 sheet pan in the oven while it preheats.

• While the oven is heating, butter one side of each slice of bread generously with softened butter. You'll need 16 slices of bread to make 8 sandwiches.
• Pour shredded Parmesan onto a plate. Press the buttered side of each piece of bread firmly into the Parmesan so the cheese sticks to the butter.

  Place 8 of the Parmesan-coated bread slices in a single layer, Parmesan-side-down, on a 12x15 sheet pan.
• Top each piece of bread with a slice and half of American cheese followed by an additional slice of colby jack or provolone. (You can really use whatever your heart desires or whatever you have available.)
• Press the buttered side of the remaining pieces of bread into the Parmesan. Place each one Parmesan-side-up on top of the cheese. You should now have 8 individual sandwiches, with the Parmesan-coated sides facing outward.
• Carefully remove the hot sheet pan from the oven using oven mitts. Place it directly on top of the sandwiches, creating a sandwich press with the two pans. Press the top pan down evenly over the sandwiches.

  Place in oven for 10 minutes.
• Remove the pans from the oven and let the sandwiches rest for about 5 minutes. Carefully lift off the top pan. If any Parmesan has stuck to the pan, use a metal spatula to gently loosen the sandwiches.

  Cut in half or quarters and serve while still warm and melty.