Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil, onion, and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
Add the garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt, and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the broth (or water), tomatoes, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and drained black beans and stir well. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat slightly and allow to cook uncovered at a gentle boil for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Taste and adjust as needed, adding more salt for overall flavor, adobo sauce for smokiness, or chopped chipotle peppers for heat.
Store leftovers separately in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The soup will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.
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Notes
*To make tortilla strips, use this method but leave out the spices and nutritional yeast. *For a creamier texture, you can purée the soup partially with an immersion blender, or transfer half of the soup to a blender and purée until smooth. *Loosely adapted from our Easy 1-Pot Black Bean Soup and Smoky BBQ Bean Tacos.