A machine (10) for the production and dispensing of chilled food products comprises a tank (11) containing an evaporator (12) which forms part of a refrigerating circuit of the machine and a motorized mixer (13) which rotates coaxially with the evaporator, with evaporator and mixer which project inside the tank through a rear sealed opening (14) thereof, the tank being moreover provided at the front with a tap (15) for dispensing the product through a dispensing outlet (16) arranged above a dispensing zone (17) intended to house a container for receiving the product. A shell (21) of the opening type is arranged so as to enclose at least partially the tank and form a covering for at least partial thermal insulation of the tank from the external environment.