Orecchiette with mushrooms and spinach - Serving Dumplings

Ingredients

• 10 1/2 ounces orecchiette
• 14 ounces cremini mushrooms (thinly sliced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 shallot (finely chopped)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 3 1/2 ounces spinach
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ ounce grated Pecorino (more for serving)
• 1 tbsp salted butter (optional)
• freshly ground black pepper (for serving)
• crushed red pepper flakes (for serving)