A machine for producing and dispensing ice cream, in particular ice cream frappes or shakes comprises a shake production unit connected to a product dispensing device and sensor means for measuring the quantity of shake dispensed; the sensor means comprise at least one emitter of at least one laser ray passing through a container for collecting the shake dispensed having at least one window transparent to the laser ray; the latter is interrupted by the shake present in the container when it reaches a predetermined level, interrupting shake dispensing.