A machine for making and dispensing ice creams, comprising in combination: - a container designed to contain a basic mixture for converting it into ice cream; - a mixer and a refrigeration system, operatively associated with said container respectively for mixing said basic mixture and for cooling said basic mixture in such a way as to convert it, in the container, into ice cream; - a control and operating unit, operatively associated with said refrigeration system for controlling activation and deactivation of said refrigeration system and for regulating its cooling thermal power at least between a first, production thermal power whereat the temperature of the basic mixture or ice cream in the container is between -15°C and -5°C, and a second, preservation thermal power which is lower than said first production thermal power and whereat the temperature of the basic mixture or ice cream in the container is between --5°C and +5°C,, said machine being characterized in that said control and operating unit is configured to allow said refrigeration system to be activated at the second, preservation power when said container is substantially empty, wherein said refrigeration system comprises a compressor, and wherein said control and operating unit is designed to regulate the speed of the compressor between a first speed value, corresponding to said first, production power, and a second speed value, corresponding to said second, preservation power, comprising at least one sensor designed to detect the presence of basic mixture or ice cream in the container and connected to said control and operating unit for making available a signal indicating the presence of said basic mixture or ice cream in the container and wherein said control and operating unit is designed to activate said refrigeration system at the second, preservation power when said signal indicates the absence of said basic mixture or ice cream in the container. - a container designed to contain a basic mixture for converting it into ice cream; - a mixer and a refrigeration system, operatively associated with said container respectively for mixing said basic mixture and for cooling said basic mixture in such a way as to convert it, in the container, into ice cream; - a control and operating unit, operatively associated with said refrigeration system for controlling activation and deactivation of said refrigeration system and for regulating its cooling thermal power at least between a first, production thermal power whereat the temperature of the basic mixture or ice cream in the container is between -15°C and -5°C, and a second, preservation thermal power which is lower than said first production thermal power and whereat the temperature of the basic mixture or ice cream in the container is between --5°C and +5°C,, said machine being characterized in that said control and operating unit is configured to allow said refrigeration system to be activated at the second, preservation power when said container is substantially empty, wherein said refrigeration system comprises a compressor, and wherein said control and operating unit is designed to regulate the speed of the compressor between a first speed value, corresponding to said first, production power, and a second speed value, corresponding to said second, preservation power, comprising at least one sensor designed to detect the presence of basic mixture or ice cream in the container and connected to said control and operating unit for making available a signal indicating the presence of said basic mixture or ice cream in the container and wherein said control and operating unit is designed to activate said refrigeration system at the second, preservation power when said signal indicates the absence of said basic mixture or ice cream in the container.