How to control the expansion of another empire without direct wars

I play France often and like to focus on conquering the British Isles, Iberia, and Italy in the early game to build a massive economy. I used to dismantle HRE and expand into the Benelux and Alsace/Switzerland to disperse AE but I've realized that killing the HRE means the Ottomans will be set for Better than Napoleon by 1550. Now, I keep the HRE intact until I can conquer all of South Germany so I don't have to worry (as much) about Ottoman Germany. Even still, if Austria doesn't get Bohemia and Hungary, Ottomans will just pummel south Germany.

I like saving the Ottoman war for the late 1600s when it will be a large war between the two GPs but having to siege from Prague to Delhi gets annoying. Any recommendations on preventing Ottomans from going completely crazy in expansion without just fighting early wars like nocb Byzantium (which ruins the game for me). I've tried Mamluks ally which helps, but not tremendously. Is there a good ally in the Persia region (Timurids?) or potentially support a really strong Russia?