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Although the consolidation strategy that Spraetter speaks of has merit, I prefer another method - similar to you - a diplomatic lockdown. First turn, make an offer of alliance/protector to the Italian States, Knights of St John, and Westphalia. You can usually get them for free, though Westphalia is more hit or miss. Offer an alliance to each of Genoa, and Venice. Attempt a trade agreement, and or alliance with Morocco and Portugal, though both of them can be difficult to near impossible, unless you offer them some heavy gifts, or bribes. Try again on each successive turn, if you fail. You need friends and this will generally secure your Mediterranean regions with no force commitment other than your starting force in Lombardy and garrisons for the emerging ports.

In the Caribbean, send your forces in Cuba and Hispaniola to Florida and sit yourself in St Augustine's fort. Let the Cherokee come to you and don't abandon the fort. You need to keep it well garrisoned so that Louisiana doesn't declare war on you until it's absorbed by France. Assuming you continue to honor your alliance with France, you will never be bothered by them. This will pay dividends all through the game. Once Louisiana is absorbed by France, then it's time to take down the Cherokee. You should have been slowly building up a force of Frontiersmen, Colonials, and a couple of 12-lbr artillery and have about 3/4 a stack in St Augustine. The Cherokee probably have a good sized force in Georgia. If you destroy this force, you can probably wipe out half of their troops, making the rest of the campaign much easier as you push inland for their last two provinces. Their territories are pretty easy to pacify. Once you've done this, your forces should be rebuilt and sent to destroy the Pueblos, so that New Spain can continue to develop unimpeded.

Either before, or after the Pueblos are dealt with, you might want to deal with the Pirates. You need one of their two regions (Trinidad & Tobago) to absorb New Spain. You also need Curacao which will be Dutch owned, unless the Dutch have been wiped out in Europe, in which case it will be Pirate owned. So, depending on the level of the Pirate threat, and your diplomatic efforts, you should try to use your New World army to island hop in the most efficient manner, taking each in as rapid succession as you can. A word of note, if you do decide to destroy the Pirate faction, the Leeward Islands are the hardest for you to pacify. The military governor's building is not as good at quelling unrest, and it will take a longer time before you can continue your path of conquest. I usually leave this island for last when attacking the Pirates, but you might want to make it first, if the situation with the UP is peaceful, saving them for last. That way, Curacao will be the last province to unlock New Spain, and your army can continue from their to the Guyanas, which are often both owned by the Dutch at this point.

That's generally what I try to accomplish for the first 20-30 years of Spanish game play. All the while, pumping out as many trade ships as affordable, upgrading my industry, etc. You know...all the "normal" activity, in addition to the strategic layer.